Sharad Pawar Meets PM Modi, Sparks NDA Buzz

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar and MP Supriya Sule met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House on Tuesday, triggering fresh political speculation over the party’s future and its possible relationship with the NDA.

During the meeting held inside the Prime Minister’s chamber in Parliament, PM Modi welcomed Sharad Pawar with a handshake and escorted him into the office. The leaders reportedly held a lengthy discussion, while photographs showing them sharing a light-hearted conversation quickly drew political attention.

However, the agenda of the meeting has not been officially disclosed, leaving room for widespread speculation in political circles.

Interestingly, just hours before meeting the Prime Minister, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule had visited Jantar Mantar to extend support to students protesting against the NEET-UG paper leak and the agitation being led by CJP. They urged the Centre to address students’ concerns sensitively instead of suppressing peaceful protests and also backed the demand seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The unexpected meeting has once again fuelled discussions over whether the NCP (SP) could eventually move closer to the NDA. Political observers have been closely watching recent developments after reports suggested that the BJP had proposed a reunion of both NCP factions if they intended to participate in power at both the state and national levels. However, leaders from Ajit Pawar’s faction had reportedly expressed reservations over such a proposal.

The meeting also comes at a time when Parliament is expected to debate the government’s controversial Constituency Delimitation Bill. Political observers believe that if the NCP (SP) supports the legislation, it could significantly strengthen the Modi government’s chances of securing the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.

Speculation surrounding political realignment had already intensified after recent meetings between senior NCP leader Jayant Patil and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, Supriya Sule had recently dismissed reports of joining the NDA, stating that neither she nor any senior party leader had received such an offer from the BJP or any other political party.

She had clarified that recent interactions between leaders were purely related to administrative matters and should not be interpreted as political negotiations.