The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) is likely to extend support to the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, according to sources. The reported move is being viewed as a significant political strategy by the Sharad Pawar-led camp, which is expected to vote in favour of the two key legislations without formally joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Sources indicated that the party intends to provide issue-based support to the Centre while maintaining its independent political identity. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP currently has eight Members of Parliament, and its backing could strengthen the government's position on two of the most significant constitutional proposals expected to be introduced during the session beginning on July 20.
According to sources, the party leadership has ruled out joining the NDA despite growing speculation over its future political course. Instead, it is expected to support the Bills on merit, signalling a pragmatic approach towards legislative matters while remaining outside the ruling alliance.
The reported decision also comes amid indications of differing views within the Sharad Pawar faction. Sources said a section of party leaders has favoured closer engagement with the BJP-led government. However, the leadership is believed to have opted for a limited, issue-based strategy to avoid internal disagreements and prevent the possibility of another split within the organisation.
The NCP witnessed a major split in 2023 when former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, along with several MLAs and senior leaders, broke away from Sharad Pawar and aligned with the ruling Mahayuti coalition. Since then, both factions have continued to pursue separate political paths while retaining influence in Maharashtra's political landscape.
Fresh political speculation has also been triggered by a series of late-night meetings held in Mumbai on Tuesday. Senior leaders from both NCP factions met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence, raising questions about possible political developments.
From the Ajit Pawar-led faction, senior leaders Praful Patel and Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare met the Chief Minister. Later, Jayant Patil, a prominent leader from the Sharad Pawar faction, also visited Fadnavis' residence. The sequence of meetings has fuelled speculation over whether efforts are underway to reduce tensions between the two factions or explore a broader political understanding.
Neither the Chief Minister's Office nor the leaders who attended the meetings have issued any official statement regarding the agenda or the outcome of the discussions, leaving political observers to interpret the significance of the interactions.
The developments come ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled to commence on July 20. The Centre is expected to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha to 850 seats and initiating the long-awaited delimitation exercise. The government is also expected to push forward the Women's Reservation Bill, making the session politically significant.
If the Sharad Pawar-led NCP ultimately supports both legislations, it would provide additional political momentum to the NDA on two landmark constitutional measures while allowing the party to retain its opposition identity through selective, issue-based cooperation rather than a formal alliance. The move could also reshape political equations ahead of future electoral contests, particularly in Maharashtra, where the NCP split continues to influence the state's political landscape.
Leave Your Comment