NCP(SP) chief says party will not join another organisation, focuses on drought relief, election preparedness and AI-driven political strategy
Mumbai, Sept 2026 : NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Monday sought to put an end to speculation over a possible political realignment involving his party, saying the organisation was functioning strongly across Maharashtra and would not merge with or join another political formation.
Addressing a state executive committee meeting attended by party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers from district and taluka levels, Pawar said there was no basis for reports suggesting that the NCP (SP) could merge with the faction led by Sunetra Pawar or move closer to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
“There is constant chatter in the media regarding our party, but such talk is meaningless. The NCP is working with great strength across the state. Therefore, let there be no speculation about us. Whoever wants to join us is welcome, but we will not join anyone else,” Pawar said.
His remarks came amid months of political speculation about a possible rapprochement between the two NCP factions. The NCP (SP) is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, alongside the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), while the rival NCP faction is part of the ruling alliance in the state.
Pawar also made clear that his party would not align with the BJP-led NDA. “We will not go with anyone. We will not merge with any other party. If you want to come, then come with us. We will not join anyone,” he said, according to reports of the meeting.
The statement effectively sought to settle speculation that had intensified after Pawar's meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reports of possible changes in Maharashtra's political alignments. Pawar's latest remarks indicate that the NCP (SP) intends to continue its opposition role in Maharashtra rather than shift to the ruling alliance.
While political speculation dominated the backdrop of the meeting, the party's discussions also focused extensively on the drought situation, farmer distress, examination-related controversies and electoral preparedness.
Pawar said party leaders had held detailed discussions on the demands emerging from drought-affected areas and would submit memoranda to the Maharashtra government. He said the party's core committee had prepared a list of demands and would press the government to act within the next few days.
“We do not want a conflict, but if our demands are not met, we will take to the streets in protest,” Pawar said.
The drought issue has assumed greater significance in Maharashtra after the state government declared 265 of its 358 talukas drought-affected, covering nearly three-fourths of the state. The government has announced measures including crop-loan restructuring, deferment of agricultural loan recovery, concessions on land revenue and relief on electricity bills for agricultural pumps.
Pawar, however, has argued that farmers require more immediate financial assistance in addition to administrative concessions. In a recent letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he submitted a 17-point package of demands, including financial assistance for farmers and agricultural labourers, loan relief and additional measures for drought-affected rural communities. He also sought a special session of the state legislature to discuss the crisis.
At the party meeting, Pawar criticised what he described as shortcomings in the government's drought-relief measures and said he had written to the Chief Minister seeking corrective action.
“The state is reeling under severe drought conditions. The government issued a Resolution on this, but it contains several flaws,” Pawar said, adding that the party would continue to press for assistance for affected farmers.
He particularly raised concerns over farmers whose crops had suffered losses but who could face difficulties accessing fresh institutional credit. Pawar also pointed to the exclusion of some areas from the drought declaration and said certain crops, including bananas, had not received adequate assistance.
Referring to his earlier experience as Union Agriculture Minister, Pawar recalled how he had pushed for assistance for sweet-lime orchards after seeing the scale of cultivation in Jalna. He said that episode had demonstrated the need for governments to recognise crop-specific losses while designing relief packages.
The NCP (SP) leader also spoke about the relationship between agricultural distress and access to institutional credit. He said farmers who become loan defaulters often face difficulties obtaining fresh loans and argued that awareness and government intervention were necessary to prevent the situation from worsening.
The party meeting also touched upon the functioning of election-related processes and allegations concerning irregularities in examinations conducted by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process was another issue discussed by the party leadership.
Pawar told party workers that the political environment ahead would require greater organisational preparedness. In particular, he urged the cadre to understand and use Artificial Intelligence, saying emerging technologies would increasingly influence political communication, election management and organisational work.
“The present era belongs to Artificial Intelligence. You must understand AI,” Pawar told the gathering.
He asked party leaders and workers to study how AI could be applied to political campaigning, voter outreach and strengthening the party's organisational structure. He said training facilities could be made available in Baramati for workers and office-bearers interested in learning the technology.
Pawar also referred to an AI-focused institute in Baramati and described a recent visit during which robots demonstrated various tasks. He said AI was likely to play a growing role in addressing challenges across different sectors and therefore political organisations needed to understand the technology rather than ignore it.
Referring to comments by party leader Jitendra Awhad on election processes, Pawar said AI and related tools were likely to become increasingly relevant to elections. He said he had discussed the issue with the party leadership and stressed that the NCP (SP) should prepare its workers for the technological changes ahead.
“Read published articles on AI, understand the technology, and develop a mindset to adapt to it,” Pawar advised party workers.
The meeting therefore combined an effort to clarify the NCP (SP)'s political positioning with a broader discussion on issues confronting Maharashtra. While Pawar sought to close the door on speculation about an NDA shift or merger, the party leadership also signalled that drought relief, rural distress, election-related issues and technological preparedness would remain important elements of its political strategy in the coming period.
For now, Pawar's stated position is that the NCP (SP) will not merge with another party or join the NDA, while leaving open the possibility of other political leaders or groups joining his organisation.
