Jul 20, 2026 12:22 pm IST

Opinion | Is Sharad Pawar Planning To Merge NCP With NDA? Behind The Ongoing Calculations

The NCP patriarch, turning 86 this year, will have to take a decision soon - before someone else takes it for him.

Arati R Jerath Arati R Jerath Columnist

Arati R Jerath Columnist

The recent flurry of activity around Sharad Pawar and his faction of the NCP has sparked speculation about his next move. His decision could well upset the political chessboard in Maharashtra, where equations remain fragile amid continuing turmoil and uncertainty despite the apparent stability of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government.

On the face of it, the meetings he and his party leaders have held over the past couple of weeks suggest that Sharad Pawar is seriously considering the option of joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Certainly, this is what the BJP hopes, as Pawar's eight MPs in the Lok Sabha would add much-needed numbers should the Modi government make a second bid to get the contentious delimitation bill passed in the monsoon session of Parliament beginning on July 21.

However, Sharad Pawar is known to keep his cards close to his chest. Consequently, it would be unwise to second-guess a leader who has built himself a formidable reputation as one of the canniest politicians in the country.

Despite this caveat, it is obvious that Sharad Pawar is weighing the benefits of leading his party into the NDA. Over the past couple of weeks, he has met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Following these interactions, a close aide of Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra MLA Jayant Patil, held late-night talks with Fadnavis. Two prominent MPs from the rival NCP faction headed by late Ajit Pawar's widow Sunetra Pawar, Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, were also present.

Two days later, Patil met Shinde along with another........

© NDTV