Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal met with Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday, amid growing speculation about a possible reunion between the two NCP factions led by Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Calling the meeting “routine,” Sapkal dismissed rumors about Congress interfering in NCP’s internal affairs. “Our focus remains on strengthening Congress and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The matter of NCP factions is theirs to resolve,” he stated.
The meeting came after Sapkal attended a high-level strategy session in Delhi, where Congress leaders reviewed Maharashtra’s changing political landscape and discussed national security concerns.
Sapkal also sharply criticized Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for supporting the BJP-backed Waqf Bill, calling it a “betrayal of secular values” and accusing Ajit Pawar of compromising principles for political gain.
Ahead of the upcoming elections, Congress plans to launch a “Tiranga Yatra” on May 21 to honor victims of terrorism and fallen soldiers, coinciding with Rajiv Gandhi’s death anniversary. Sapkal reiterated demands for the central government to clarify recent ceasefire agreements and address border security issues.
Political analysts view the Sapkal-Pawar meeting as a possible step toward uniting the opposition before the state polls. Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction has been actively strengthening its base, including inducting former BJP leaders like Harshvardhan Patil.
