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Friday, January 23, 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.

Ajit Pawar’s NCP reunion gamble fails in Pune & Pimpri-Chinchwad, BJP headed for majority

Purva Chitnis -
Pawars joining hands seems to have been futile, as BJP popularity has outweighed combined NCP. This puts a big question mark on the future of NCP-SP and Ajit Pawar's importance in the Mahayuti. 

BJP vs NCP battle for Pune & Pimpri Chinchwad heats up: Cops question Ajit Pawar party’s poll strategist

Manasi Phadke -
In the final hours of campaigning Tuesday, Pune Police reached the office of DesignBoxed Innovations Pvt Limited, and questioned the employees.

Why Ajit Pawar’s battle in Pune brings up flashbacks of 2017 BJP-Shiv Sena fight in Mumbai

Manasi Phadke -
Pawar has hit out at Mahayuti ally BJP, which defeated then undivided NCP in 2017 in both Pune & Pimpri Chinchwad local bodies, every step of the way, even making allegations of graft.

Rumbles in NCP camps over Pawar parivar civic poll pact—discontent for some, practical move for others

Purva Chitnis -
Coalition of NCPs led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar sets off speculation of a merger in the future even as parties say alliance only for Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls.

‘Not invited’ to seat-sharing talks, leaders poached. Mahayuti allies give NCP third-wheel treatment

Manasi Phadke -
NCP leaders say BJP’s constant poaching of leaders from allied parties has also not gone down well with them. Polls to 29 municipal corporations will be held on 15 January.

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. 
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