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Wednesday, August 5, 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.

Two birds with one merger—why BJP wants ‘united NCP’ in NDA fold

Neelam Pandey -
Talks of an NCP merger gained currency after NCP’s Praful Patel and Jayant Patil of NCP (SP) met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 15 July.

2 NCPs, 2 foundation days, twin crises. Both Pawar factions staring at uncertain future

Manasi Phadke -
Soon after Ajit Pawar’s death, Maharashtra's political corridors were abuzz with how he'd verbally agreed to a merger. Months on, both NCP factions in throes of an identity crisis.

Who is Vikram Kakade, new NCP-backed MLC whose financial dealings with Jay Pawar have sparked row

Purva Chitnis -
Kakade's poll affidavit shows a Rs 10 cr 'loan' to Jay Pawar, which he says was an advance for a property. NCP spokesperson says there is transparency in their business dealings.

Maharashtra MLC polls once again expose Mahayuti cracks, push leaders into damage control mode

Manasi Phadke -
The day started with a long list of Mahayuti rebels in the fray, with some of these being children of party leaders wanting to establish political careers. 

MLC polls: Mahayuti seat-sharing talks hit a wall—Shinde digs in, BJP refuses to budge, NCP firm on Pune

Purva Chitnis -
Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune have emerged as key flashpoints. BJP has staked claim on all three, two of which are currently held by Shiv Sena factions and one by NCP.

With son taking control, a ‘catch-22’ for Sunetra? Cracks widen in NCP over Parth’s leadership style

Purva Chitnis -
In the new regime headed by his mother after Ajit Pawar's death, Parth has become a voice too powerful to ignore. But his working style has not gone down well with many.

NCP shows signs of unease under Sunetra Pawar. Leader’s exit triggers fear of wave of resignations

Purva Chitnis -
Former MP Anand Paranjpe, said to be vying for MLC post that went to Zeeshan Siddique, has resigned from NCP & joined Shinde's Sena. Party leaders it could have a ripple effect.

Sunetra Pawar’s cautious & controlled political rise, in Ajit dada’s shadow

+TFP Manasi Phadke -
On Monday, she won the Baramati bypoll with a handsome margin of 2.18 lakh votes, largely unopposed. No major party fielded a candidate against her.

Who is Narhari Zirwal? NCP minister in dock over purported video with transperson

Purva Chitnis -
Pressure mounting on Sunetra Pawar to sack 4-time MLA, with Oppn leaders describing alleged conduct as 'obscene & unethical'. Zirwal has denied wrongdoing, but admits he has known transperson for 5 yrs.

Signs of lie detected

ThePrint Team -
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