RUMOUR-MILLS have yet again started spinning yarns in Maharashtra politics over possibility of a merger of the two factions in Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Political activities, meetings, leading statements and denials have taken their pre-charted course even as the grassroots workers in both groups are dreaming of a family reunion of the Pawars for a joint front. Despite the hard reality of personal ambitions of young leadership already soaring high in both factions, the mirage of a merger has refused to wither away in the NCP. This time merger possibilities have been triggered by NCP (SP) patriarch Sharad Pawar’s hospitalisation and subsequent meeting of the family members. Senior leader Praful Patel’s visit to meet the ailing Pawar Sr further fuelled talks of the two factions’ reunion. Hectic political activities at Sharad Pawar’s home, Silver Oak, and late-night meetings between senior leaders Jayant Patil, Jitendra Awhad, Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar created further suspense while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ take on the possible merger added suspense to the entire drama. In the end, it is likely to end up as another short-lived political drama as hinted by young leaders in both factions.

 

Despite the wishes of some senior leaders and majority of party workers in both groups, the possibility of NCP becoming a single party has already hit the wall. It would have been possible in the weak moment the Pawar family endured after the untimely and unfortunate death of Ajit Pawar in January. However, Sunetra Pawar’s quick ascendancy to Deputy Chief Minister’s post ended the prospects. Since then, both parties have taken different paths in Maharashtra politics with the next generation of Pawars assuming an important place in overall decision-making. The emergence of Rohit Pawar as the next heir of the NCP (Sharad Pawar group) and the dramatic rise of Parth Pawar in the NCP (Ajit Pawar group) have totally changed dynamics in the parties. It is no more a sole decision of the senior members of the family or veteran leaders.

 

The baton has already been passed. And given the penchant to create their own political identities, both Rohit Pawar and Parth Pawar are unlikely to think about a merger as yet. The two Young Turks present a contrasting picture, throwing hints at the future of both factions. Rohit Pawar’s dramatic walk-out of Silver Oak over the merger talks has already signalled a deep rift within the party. He is eyeing a separate identity for himself and the party sans meddling from other seniors. A merger would mean more veterans coming into the top leadership group, brewing constant insecurity and questions of independent decision-making. Rohit Pawar presents a fine blend of Sharad Pawar’s tactics and late Ajit Pawar’s spirited politics. Since the death of his uncle, he has kept the issue alive by demanding a probe into the plane crash. At the same time, he is reaching out to farmers and commoners even in places having a strong presence of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

 

He is spearheading public movements against paper leaks and resolving civic issues. The calculated style of leadership, augmented by his youth appeal, makes him an emerging Opposition force in the State. Rohit would not want to squander this opportunity to prove his political mettle. The tag of a battle-tested mass leader holds much more significance in his future political journey than becoming another Pawar fighting for existence within a unified political entity. Parth Pawar presents a near-contrast as he yearns to take control of the NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction. Already climbing a high perch by becoming a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha, Parth has started calling shots, even going against the wishes of his mother Sunetra and senior think-tank including Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. The last ten months have seen many occasions where Parth acted on his own and snubbed seniors in the party. On every occasion, mother Sunetra had to resort to damage-control and then to presenting a united picture. There is a definite trait of acting on the spur-of-the-moment that has landed Parth in trouble within the party on many occasions. Party insiders are talking about Patel’s quandary in tackling Parth’s knee-jerk decisions. After Ajit Dada’s death, Patel was seen as ‘Bhishma’ in the party who will guide Parth and Jay Pawar, the two ‘Yuvrajs’. Of late, the veteran leader from Gondia is struggling to keep pace with Parth’s instinctive politics even as he keeps trying to show a happy picture of unity in the party. Parth Pawar’s increasing involvement in organisational decisions has caused resentment among senior leaders.

 

A particular point of anger is appointments made by Parth without adequate consultation with the experienced leadership. Senior leaders have time and again raised objections over Parth’s style of functioning. However, there is a general feeling in the NCP that Sunetra Pawar is not paying enough attention to the growing rift within the organisation. Against this backdrop, of individual political goals of the GenNext taking precedence over a united front, a reunification looks a distant dream. There are simply too many claimants in the party to the Pawar power legacy. Whether they are comfortable to work with each other after carving their distinguished identities would decide the future course for NCP. The game has already taken a new twist with CM Fadnavis playing the NDA card and asking both factions to consult with the BJP before taking any decision. With such an overbearing presence of the BJP, it would not be easy for both factions to mend fences, at least for now.