NCP Joins NDA Under Ajit Pawar: No Reunion with Sharad Pawar Faction

Pune, Jun 10 (PTI): NCP state president Sunil Tatkare announced on Tuesday that the decision for the party to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was a collective move, under the leadership of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and party chief Ajit Pawar.

During the celebration of the party's 26th Foundation Day, Tatkare addressed the media, dismissing rumors about a potential reunion with the rival faction led by Sharad Pawar. Notably, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) also commemorated its foundation day in Pune.

Tatkare explained, "This was not a personal decision, but a collective choice to join NDA under Ajit dada's leadership. Since 2014, there have been multiple occasions when joining the alliance was considered, with the party (then undivided) almost deciding to join NDA but retracting at the last moment."

He further highlighted that in 2023, the party, guided by Ajit Pawar, resolved to integrate into the ruling alliance for the people's welfare, maintaining their secular ideology rooted in figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Shahu Maharaj.

Clarifying the party's future path, Tatkare emphasized their journey's continuation under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah's leadership.

On addressing the simultaneous celebrations of both factions in Pune, Tatkare noted that the NCP was founded on June 10, 1999. The Election Commission of India's mandate allows both factions the right to celebrate their foundation day.

Dispelling speculation about a faction reunion, the Lok Sabha MP confirmed that the NCP hasn't received any such proposal.

In 2019, the undivided NCP collaborated with Congress and the unified Shiv Sena in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, which dissolved in June 2022. However, in 2023, Ajit Pawar, previously in the opposition, secured a majority within NCP legislators and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, becoming a deputy chief minister.

The NCP factions began their foundation day festivities with flag hoisting in the presence of party workers. Sharad Pawar, alongside Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, participated at the party office in Pune, while Tatkare, Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, and other leaders attended the flag hoisting at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Balewadi.

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