BNN Summary
On its 27th Foundation Day, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) affirmed a commitment to rebuild with renewed vigor. Maharashtra President Shashikant Shinde urged party leaders and workers to prepare for a sustained struggle to establish a progressive government in the state. This declaration comes amidst significant organizational challenges following the 2023 split and recent electoral setbacks, underscoring the party's resolve under Sharad Pawar's leadership.
In-Depth Analysis
MUMBAI – The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), or NCP (SP), marked its 27th Foundation Day on Wednesday with a resolute pledge from its Maharashtra president, Shashikant Shinde, to embark on a vigorous rebuilding effort. Speaking at the commemorative event held at the Y B Chavan Centre in Mumbai, Shinde called upon the party's leadership and cadre to brace for an arduous struggle aimed at ushering in a 'progressive government' in Maharashtra.
The celebration, themed 'Loyalty to ideology, dedication to people,' served as a platform for introspection and renewed commitment following a turbulent period for the party. The original Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was founded on June 10, 1999, by Sharad Pawar, P. A. Sangma, and Tariq Anwar, emerging from a split within the Indian National Congress. However, the party itself underwent a significant vertical split in July 2023 when Sharad Pawar's nephew, Ajit Pawar, along with a substantial number of MLAs, defected to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) subsequently recognized the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the legitimate Nationalist Congress Party, also allocating them the party's original name and election symbol in February 2024. Consequently, the faction led by Sharad Pawar adopted the new nomenclature, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), striving to retain its distinct identity and ideological moorings.
Shashikant Shinde's appointment as the NCP (SP) Maharashtra state president in July 2025 was viewed as a strategic move by Sharad Pawar to bolster the party's grassroots presence and reward steadfast loyalty. Shinde, a seasoned politician with a background as a mathadi (head loader) union leader and a four-time MLA, is seen as instrumental in preventing further erosion of the party's base. His elevation signaled Sharad Pawar's intention to rebuild from the ground up, banking on experienced yet grounded leaders to reconnect with the party's traditional strongholds, particularly in Western Maharashtra.
The party faces considerable challenges, having secured only 10 seats in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, a performance that working president Supriya Sule termed a 'moment for deep reflection and renewal.' Sule emphasized the party's unwavering commitment to fostering a 'capable, inclusive, and progressive Maharashtra' and pledged to rebuild with 'honesty, hard work, and an unshakable commitment to the values we stand for.' Sharad Pawar himself, after a brief hiatus due to health concerns, is reportedly preparing to launch a state-wide outreach campaign, signifying his renewed engagement in active politics to revive the organization. This revival push includes planned district-wise organizational meetings in Mumbai.
Discussions regarding a potential merger between the two NCP factions were initiated by Ajit Pawar prior to his untimely death in a plane crash in January 2026. These talks, however, have since been shelved. While some within NCP (SP), like Anil Deshmukh, expressed that a reunification would honor Ajit Pawar's 'last wish,' leaders from the ruling NCP faction, such as Sunil Tatkare, have reaffirmed their commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and cast doubt on the merger prospects. Shashikant Shinde himself had previously dismissed such merger rumors in May 2026, amidst reports of internal dissent within Ajit Pawar's camp concerning the future leadership.
Adding to the political discourse on Foundation Day, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar used the occasion to laud former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, highlighting his 'sacrifices and contributions to nation-building' and asserting that Nehru cannot be compared with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pawar also criticized Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan's remarks regarding Indira Gandhi and Operation Blue Star, defending the former Prime Minister's stance on national security. As a constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra, NCP (SP) remains actively engaged in broader national political strategies, with Sharad Pawar indicating that INDIA bloc leaders would soon convene to resolve internal disagreements and strengthen unity.
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