Inside The Pawar-Modi Meet: Will NCP Factions Reunite To Support NDA On Delimitation Bill?

PrismNews: In a development that has triggered a massive political earthquake, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) patriarch Sharad Pawar and the party’s working president Supriya Sule met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Wednesday. The high-profile meeting has added fresh fuel to intense speculation about a potential political realignment between the Pawar-led outfit and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Warm moment inside the Parliament, veteran Maratha leader and PM Modi sharing a hearty laugh while exchanging notes. In another significant gesture, PM Modi was seen personally receiving Pawar at the door of his chamber, highlighting the strategic weight of the dialogue.

The Hidden Formula: Merger or External Support?
Political circles are buzzing with reports that the NCP (SCP) is actively exploring options for a dramatic political turnaround. According to top political sources, several behind-the-scenes developments indicate a massive shift:The Reunion Plan: High-level discussions are reportedly underway on a specific formula to reunite the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions before making a formal entry into the NDA.
Timeline for Decision: Sources indicate that a final blueprint regarding the party’s structural future will materialize within the next 8 to 15 days.
Internal Push for Power: A vast majority of MLAs and MPs within the Sharad Pawar camp are explicitly in favor of directly joining the NDA. Insiders reveal that participating in both the Central and Maharashtra governments is viewed as essential to boost cadre morale and accelerate party expansion.
Alternative Routes: If a complete merger fails to take shape, the Sharad Pawar faction might either join the NDA as an independent entity or extend crucial issue-based support to the NDA government from the outside.

Why Does the BJP Need Sharad Pawar Right Now ?
The timing of this meeting coincides perfectly with the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, where the Centre is planning to re-introduce the highly crucial Delimitation Bill in the Lok Sabha.
The Numbers Game: The passage of a constitutional amendment like the Delimitation Bill requires a special two-thirds majority.
Strategic Value: The Sharad Pawar faction commands eight Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat, making their legislative backing highly significant for the floor management of the ruling alliance.
The 50% Seat Condition: Interestingly, the NCP had previously dropped hints of alignment on this issue. Just last week, Supriya Sule stated in a press conference: “Give the 50 percent seats increase condition on paper, then we will discuss.”

Guarded Silence & Official Denials
Despite the raging political fire, the top leadership has maintained a highly strategic and cautious public stance:
Sharad Pawar’s Tactical Silence: When questioned by reporters regarding a potential split or shift in his ranks, the NCP patriarch completely deflected the issue, stating dryly, “That’s not the subject to talk about right now.” This marks a visible shift from his confident June declaration where he claimed his camp was completely immune to splits.
Secret Meetings in Mumbai: The current buzz has been further amplified by a series of recent meetings in Mumbai involving NCP (SCP) leader Jayant Patil, senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, the party officially dismissed these as strictly “administrative discussions.”
Supriya Sule Outright Rejection: Taking to social media platform X, Supriya Sule strongly dismissed the ongoing media chatter, calling the reports “inaccurate and speculative.” She clarified that neither she nor the party had held any official discussions with the media, adding that any stance on constitutional matters would only be taken after internal consultations and consensus with their INDIA bloc allies.

The Contextual Background
The undivided NCP suffered a vertical split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar led 41 MLAs to join the BJP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti government. Following Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise in a plane crash in Baramati in January this year, Sunetra Pawar took over the faction’s leadership, subsequently stepping in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.