Amid speculation over the possible reunion of the warring Nationalist Congress Party factions, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) working president Supriya Sule on Tuesday tactfully sidestepped questions, claiming she was too occupied with other responsibilities to discuss internal party affairs.
Responding to a reporter’s question on whether she remembered “dada” — her cousin and political rival Ajit Pawar — on the NCP’s 26th foundation day, Sule quipped, “I have six brothers, and I remember them every day.” Asked if she would call Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to wish him, she simply replied, “I speak to all my brothers on different occasions.”
The NCP, originally founded by Sharad Pawar, was split in July 2023 after Ajit Pawar joined the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, leading to a bitter rift. The party’s name and iconic clock symbol were awarded to Ajit Pawar’s faction by the Election Commission, while Sharad Pawar’s camp was rebranded as NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
Recent murmurs suggest the two factions may be considering a truce, but Sule brushed off such talk, stating she hasn’t had time to meet party colleagues or even her family over the past 15 days. “In a democracy, everyone has the right to express their opinions,” she added.
Sule also paid tribute to late NCP leader R. R. Patil, emphasizing the team spirit that once defined the party. “NCP is Sharad Pawar’s creation and has completed 26 years with the contribution of many — those with us and even those who aren’t.”
Having recently led a multi-party delegation abroad to represent India’s stance after Operation Sindoor, Sule said she would soon be heading to New Delhi to attend a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other delegates involved in the outreach mission.
