NEWS
Supriya Sule Likely to Become Minister in Modi Cabinet as Sharad–Ajit Pawar Factions Eye NCP Merger
In a major political development, talks to unite the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — one led by Sharad Pawar and the other by Ajit Pawar — are gaining momentum. The goal is to complete the merger before the Maharashtra urban body elections in October 2025, amid signs of growing unrest and shifting loyalties within the party.
Key Highlights:
- Supriya Sule, MP from Sharad Pawar’s faction, is emerging as a key player in these negotiations and is being considered for a ministerial role at the Centre if the merger goes through.
- Praful Patel from Ajit Pawar’s faction is reportedly coordinating with Sule to facilitate talks between the two camps.
- Sources say Ajit Pawar is in active communication with top BJP leaders regarding the terms of the merger and a potential cabinet position for Sule.
Resistance Within Sharad Pawar's Camp
Not everyone in Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) is on board:
- Out of 8 NCP (SP) MPs, 2 are reportedly against the merger — Amar Sharadrao Kale (Satara) and Amol Kolhe (Shirur).
- Amar Kale, who previously served as a three-time Congress MLA, joined the NCP just before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Why the Push for Merger?
- More than half of NCP (SP)’s 10 MLAs are said to favor a merger with Ajit Pawar’s faction, fearing isolation and irrelevance if they stay separate.
- Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule are reportedly aware of growing internal dissent and possible defections before the municipal elections.
- A merger would not only consolidate the NCP vote base but also secure political futures for key leaders in both factions.
BJP’s Calculated Silence
While BJP watches the developments closely, its leaders remain cautious:
- A senior BJP leader from Maharashtra stated that Sharad Pawar is known for political unpredictability, and nothing should be taken as final until an official announcement is made.
- BJP’s potential support for Supriya Sule’s entry into the Modi cabinet could be a strategic move to solidify the NDA alliance in Maharashtra ahead of the 2029 general elections.
