Daijiworld Media Network – Pune

Pune, Jun 10: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday marked the 26th foundation day of the party with a heartfelt address, acknowledging the unexpected split within the organisation and appreciating the dedication of workers who chose to stay with the original ideology.

Speaking at an event in Pune, Pawar said, "We never thought that a split would take place in the party, but it happened. Despite challenges, you continued to take the party forward without losing hope."

The NCP, co-founded by Pawar in 1999, witnessed a major split in July 2023 when his nephew Ajit Pawar broke away and joined the then Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government. The Election Commission later awarded the party name and the iconic clock symbol to the Ajit Pawar-led faction. The group headed by Sharad Pawar was renamed as NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

“Some people went with other ideologies and this split widened. I don’t want to talk about it today. But those who stood by the party did so because of our principles,” he said, expressing optimism that a “different picture” would emerge in the upcoming elections.

The veteran leader refrained from launching any direct attacks on the rebel faction but made it clear that the ideological foundation of the party remains intact with those who stayed loyal.
The event served as a show of strength for the NCP (SP) as it prepares for future political battles.