NCP(SP) Leader Jayant Patil's Meeting With BJP President Stirs Political Speculation in Maharashtra
While Bawankule says they only discussed development works, Patil says he hardly had time for such secret meetings.
In a surprising turn of events, Jayant Patil, the Maharashtra president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) or NCP (SP), met with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president and Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, igniting a wave of speculation about potential political realignments in the State. The meeting, which reportedly took place in Mumbai yesterday and lasted over an hour, has raised eyebrows given the historically adversarial relationship between the two parties.
Sources close to the development suggest that a senior BJP leader facilitated the rendezvous, fueling rumors that Patil, a long-time loyalist of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, might be considering a shift in allegiance. Posts on X have amplified the buzz, with some claiming the meeting occurred around midnight and hinting that Patil could be on the verge of joining the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition. However, both leaders have downplayed the encounter, insisting it was not politically motivated.
Bawankule clarified, "It was not a political meeting. We only discussed development works." He emphasised that the conversation centered on constituency-specific projects and administrative matters, dismissing any suggestion of a deeper political agenda. Patil, meanwhile, offered a more pointed response, addressing the speculation head-on: "I was with Sharad Pawar all day yesterday, and I met party colleagues late into the night. When would I have had the time for some secret meeting? Those spreading these rumors should provide proof." He further accused the media and rumor-mongers of indulging in sensationalism, saying, "This is just entertainment for some, but it’s misleading."
The meeting comes at a time when Maharashtra’s political landscape remains fluid following the Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory in the 2024 state assembly elections, where the BJP, alongside allies Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), secured 235 seats. The NCP (SP), part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has struggled to regain its footing after the party’s split in 2023, when Ajit Pawar broke away to join the ruling coalition. Patil, a five-time MLA from Islampur and a key figure in Sharad Pawar’s faction, has been vocal about strengthening the NCP (SP)’s base, making any hint of a shift to the BJP particularly startling.
Political analysts see the timing as significant. The BJP has been aggressively consolidating its influence in Maharashtra, and absorbing a heavyweight like Patil could bolster its dominance in Sangli and western Maharashtra, regions where the NCP has traditionally held sway. However, Patil’s decades-long loyalty to Sharad Pawar, coupled with his criticism of the BJP’s governance, casts doubt on the likelihood of a defection. In recent months, he has repeatedly rejected similar rumors, including claims in 2023 that he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling them baseless attempts to destabilise the NCP (SP).
As of now, no concrete evidence has emerged to substantiate claims of a political deal. The episode underscores the high-stakes maneuvering that defines Maharashtra politics, where alliances shift as swiftly as the rumors that fuel them. Whether this meeting marks a genuine thaw between Patil and the BJP or simply a routine discussion, as both leaders insist, remains unclear. For now, Patil has scheduled a meeting with Sharad Pawar on Wednesday to brief him on the situation, signaling that the NCP (SP) is keen to close ranks amid the swirling speculation. In a state where loyalty is often tested, all eyes will be on Patil’s next move. (With inputs/pic from PTI)
