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Saturday, January 3, 2026
TopicNCP

Topic: NCP

The NCP or Nationalist Congress Party was founded in 1999 by Sharad Pawar after he quit the Indian National Congress (INC) along with Purno Sangma and Tariq Anwar. While the NCP started as a national party with values of ‘Gandhian secularism’ and ‘progressive and modern progress’, its biggest electoral success has been in Maharashtra, Pawar’s home state. In 2023, the Election Commission withdrew the party’s status as a ‘national party’ as the NCP could no longer meet the criteria of such a designation.

As of 2024, the party is split into two factions — one led by founder Sharad Pawar and another by his nephew Ajit Pawar. The faction led by Ajit is in power in Maharashtra along with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde). This faction today is knonw as the Nationalist Congress Party, having been granted the original party name and symbol by the Supreme Court. The other faction is called the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar). Other important leaders include Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, and Rajesh Tope.

Internal fighting saw Mahayuti & MVA form unlikely ties in some seats. How they fared in Maharashtra

Purva Chitnis -
Similar alliances are already being explored for civic polls in places such as Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Sunday’s results will give a shot in the arm to that experiment.

‘Friendly fight’ turning intense? NCP factions weigh forming a front against BJP in Pune, Pimpri polls

Purva Chitnis -
BJP has ruled out alliance with Ajit Pawar's NCP for these corporations. The factions have joined hands in Kagal, Kolhapur. Congress has also approached Ajit Pawar for Pimpri Chinchwad.

NCP minister Manikrao Kokate loses portfolios after court setback over illegal acquisition of govt flats

Kasturi Walimbe -
On Tuesday, court issued arrest warrant against Kokate who has already moved Bombay High Court challenging verdict. His portfolios will now be under Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

Alleged D-Company link returns to haunt Nawab Malik. Mumbai court frames charges against ex-minister

Kasturi Walimbe -
Special judge framed charges against Malik & other accused after they pleaded not guilty, paving the way for trial to begin.

Zero revenue & no operations, but Parth Pawar’s Amadea Enterprises entered into a Rs 300-crore deal

Manasi Phadke -
The controversial land deal was revoked after it came to light last week. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has set up a probe under Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge. 

Why Ajit Pawar doesn’t want to back his son Parth, battling allegations of a land scam

Manasi Phadke -
Pawar told reporters the CM had spoken to him about allegations against Parth, and he had given his consent to a probe. Easy to make allegations, but important to know reality, Pawar said.

Sharad Pawar’s NCP to join JPC on bills to sack jailed PM, CMs & ministers in break from Oppn ranks

Manasi Phadke -
This marks the second time the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has broken ranks. Supriya Sule said it was necessary to be a part of the committee to voice their dissent.

‘Shall we make him the CM?’ Ajit Pawar does it again, snaps at flood-hit farmer seeking loan waiver

Purva Chitnis -
The deputy CM was meeting farmers in flood-hit Marathwada. Rebuking a farmer who had lost his crop, Pawar said, 'Are we here to play marbles? I have been working since 6 am'.

Curious case of Damanias—Anjali takes on Mahayuti govt over ‘graft’, Anish to advise its think tank

Purva Chitnis -
The day husband Anish announced decision to join MITRA, Anjali criticised PM Modi & Maharashtra CM Fadnavis. She says they're both contributing in their own ways.

Ajit Pawar-IPS call row: NCP MLC retracts X post critical of officer after asking UPSC to verify her caste

Purva Chitnis -
Amol Mitkari wrote to UPSC seeking verification of her documents. He later issued an apology for his remarks on social media. But, he hasn't clarified if he has withdrawn the letter, too.
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