BJP’s offer to both parties in Maharashtra:NCP and NCP (SP) should merge again, then become an NDA ally

Once again, there is a stir in Maharashtra politics. It is reported that both factions of the NCP have received a proposal to merge and join the NDA. According to media reports, the central government is going to introduce constitutional amendment bills related to the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill in Parliament this time. Therefore, the NDA party leadership has suggested that both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) should reunite and become an allied party of the NDA, rather than any faction merging with the ruling party. It is being speculated that NCP (SP) (Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar) might reconsider its support for the Delimitation Bill under certain conditions. This soft stance of the party could be an indication of an alliance with the NDA. The BJP is trying to increase its strength in the House before this monsoon session. Proposal to offer cabinet posts to both factions According to sources, the BJP leadership has proposed to offer two positions in the Union Cabinet to both factions of the NCP (Sunetra Pawar faction and Sharad Pawar faction) to balance power between them, provided they agree to merge as one party. Discussion of a split within NCP itself According to sources within the NCP party, the BJP’s top leadership has had initial talks with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and her leaders, but the plan has not yet been finalized. Everything depends on the ongoing tug-of-war between Sunetra Pawar and senior leaders within the NCP. Meanwhile, Sunetra’s elder son and Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar wishes that if the merger happens, Sunetra should become the national president of the party. He also wants his mother to handle the finance department in the state government, which was previously with his father Ajit Pawar. However, after his demise in January, it went to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, a rift is visible within the NCP on this matter, as senior leaders like party president Sunil Tatkare, working president Praful Patel, and Chhagan Bhujbal want the power-sharing to be done keeping everyone in mind. They say that if they (Sunetra faction) insist on taking the cabinet portfolio, state finance ministry, and the post of national president, there will be difficulties, because on the other hand, Sharad Pawar’s (NCP-SP) is less likely to agree to this. Sharad Faction’s Talks with Both BJP-Congress Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, the NCP (Sharad faction) party is ready for talks with both Congress and the BJP-led NDA. According to sources, 8 Lok Sabha MPs and 10 MLAs of NCP (SP) are divided into two factions regarding the party’s future. It is claimed that some MPs and MLAs are in favor of joining the NDA, while some want to merge with the Congress. Sharad Pawar will only be ready for a merger with the Congress if Supriya Sule gets a significant responsibility in the party. This reportedly includes demands such as a Pawar supporter for the post of Maharashtra Congress President, making Supriya Sule the Vice President of Congress, and adequate representation in the Congress Working Committee (CWC). On the other hand, another source claims that an influential faction of the party supports going with the BJP and NDA. It is also claimed that during discussions, a central ministerial post for Supriya Sule and two ministerial posts for Pawar supporters were discussed. However, this has not been officially confirmed by any side. NCP was formed after breaking away from Congress The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was founded on June 10, 1999, by Sharad Pawar, P.A. Sangma, and Tariq Anwar. The three leaders questioned the party leadership, raising the issue of Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin. Congress expelled them from the party. Following this, the three formed the NCP. What is the arithmetic of numerical strength? With NCP joining NDA, the Modi government will come closer to a two-thirds majority in Parliament, which is crucial for passing constitutional amendment bills. The government is trying to gather the necessary numbers to pass constitutional amendment bills that would implement the Women’s Reservation Act and increase the number of seats in Parliament and state assemblies through the Delimitation Bill. These efforts by the government had failed in a special session of the Rajya Sabha in April. Since then, 37 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from four opposition parties have joined the ruling side. This is the biggest shift of MPs from the opposition to the ruling party in Parliament since the anti-defection law was implemented in 1985. ​