NCP MLA Predicts Defections from Sharad Pawar Faction; Party Dismisses Claim

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Dharmarao Atram has stated that five Members of Parliament from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) faction are likely to join the ruling Ajit Pawar faction by December. Atram, a former minister in the Eknath Shinde government representing Gadchiroli district, made the claim on Thursday amid ongoing political realignments in Maharashtra.

Speaking to reporters, Atram said, "Everybody wants to return by doing developmental works. At least five Lok Sabha MPs will come to us by December 12. People have trust in the leadership of Sunetra Pawar and they have realised that to bring development to their constituencies, they need to come to us."

However, the NCP (SP) swiftly rejected the assertion, calling it baseless. Party spokespersons reiterated that their legislators remain united under Sharad Pawar's leadership and dismissed any suggestion of imminent defections.

The claim comes amid broader speculation about possible splits within opposition parties in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena (UBT). Political analysts note that such predictions are common ahead of legislative sessions but often lack concrete evidence.

Atram's statement has not been corroborated by any of the named MPs, and no official communication regarding defections has been made by either faction. The Ajit Pawar camp has also not officially commented on the matter.

The development reflects the ongoing fluidity in Maharashtra politics since the split in the NCP in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar led a faction to join the ruling alliance. The Sharad Pawar faction continues to assert its position as the original party while both sides claim majority support.