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Thursday, December 4, 2025
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.

‘Upset’ at being denied ticket, NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal keeps largely away from Nashik campaign

Purva Chitnis -
Nashik seat is believed to have been a source of friction in ruling Mahayuti, although Bhujbal said last week that he would campaign for Shiv Sena candidate who got ticket, Hemant Godse.

Dada, vahini, saheb & tai — the great Pawar family slugfest that’s keeping Baramati on edge

Manasi Phadke -
Baramati, bastion of NCP & Pawar family, is seeing a first-of-its-kind clash that has thrown a spanner in the works within party cadre and divided voters as well as members of the family.

Was happy with social work, entered politics to support husband, says Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra 

Manasi Phadke -
Baramati witnesses unique conflict as Sunetra Pawar faces sister-in-law & sitting MP Supriya Sule. For past 3 LS polls, Sunetra was directly or indirectly involved in campaigning for Sule.

‘Fight is against ideology, not a person,’ says Supriya Sule on Baramati face-off with sister-in-law

Manasi Phadke -
Baramati MP & leader of Sharad Pawar's NCP, Sule says Ajit Pawar aligned with ideology she always opposed. Ajit's wife Sunetra Pawar is contesting from her constituency.

Jalgaon strongman Khadse set for ‘ghar wapsi’ after 4 yrs, OBC leader wants national role in BJP

Manasi Phadke -
Khadse had exited BJP to join NCP in October 2020 after being relegated to sidelines by state leadership for almost five years. His daughter-in-law is BJP candidate from Raver.

Pawar bahu, social worker & ‘unwilling’ politician — who is NCP’s Baramati pick Sunetra Pawar

Manasi Phadke -
Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, is known for carrying out social work in family bastion Baramati. Her brother was once close aide of NCP founder Sharad Pawar.

Amit Shah reaches Maharashtra as seat-sharing tensions run high in Mahayuti. Talks with allies on cards

Purva Chitnis -
Shah expected to hold discussions particularly on Vidarbha, Marathwada & North Maharashtra. Shinde's Sena & Ajit Pawar’s NCP pressing hard for 22 & 16 seats respectively, it is learnt.

From Adarsh society to cooperatives scams: Why Maharashtra is BJP’s biggest ‘laundromat’

Manasi Phadke -
Since 2019, at least 6 major leaders have moved to BJP in Maharashtra in light of corruption allegations against them or family. At least seven others have become BJP allies.

Narwekar repeats Sena decision to rule Ajit Pawar faction as ‘real NCP’, MVA slams ‘copy paste’ order

Purva Chitnis -
Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar's verdict was based on legislative strength of the 2 NCP factions and followed EC’s ruling on the party name and symbol.

Political timing or a new era? NCP’s clock symbol holds significance for both Pawar factions

Manasi Phadke -
For Sharad Pawar faction, it is a personification of their leader himself, while for nephew Ajit Pawar's, it signifies changing times. ECI Tuesday gave the clock symbol to Ajit's faction.
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