Sharad Pawar Rejects Party Split Reports Amid NDA Rumors

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar dismissed reports of a party split on July 18, stating the topic was not the current subject for discussion. The speculation followed late-night meetings in Mumbai between NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil, ruling NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. While the NCP-SP claimed these meetings concerned administrative matters, rumors of a rift and potential realignment with the NDA persisted.

Working President Supriya Sule rejected claims that the party had reached a definitive stand on the Lok Sabha Constituency Delimitation Bill or entered negotiations with the NDA. Sule emphasized that party positions are determined through internal consultations and coordination with the INDIA bloc, describing media reports on the matter as inaccurate and speculative.

Parallel to these political tensions, Sharad Pawar pressured the Maharashtra government to meet deadlines for farm loan waivers, threatening a statewide agitation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the state's record, asserting that the government implemented the largest loan waiver scheme in history by increasing the limit to Rs 2 lakh.