Ajit Pawar Vows NCP's Commitment to Mahayuti Amid Poll Speculations

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, has confirmed that NCP will contest upcoming state assembly polls with allies BJP and Shiv Sena under the Mahayuti banner. He also addressed internal party issues and previous electoral mistakes at the India Today Conclave, emphasizing NCP's role in Maharashtra's development.

Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said on Wednesday that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will contest the upcoming assembly elections alongside allies BJP and Shiv Sena under the Mahayuti banner. Pawar's statement, made during the India Today Conclave, dismissed any speculation about NCP leaving the ruling coalition.

Speaking at the event, Pawar expressed regret over his decision to pit his wife Sunetra Pawar against his cousin, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, in the Lok Sabha elections. He reiterated that the NCP would work diligently with its Mahayuti partners to secure another term in power, despite claims from Shiv Sena (UBT) that the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are trying to oust the NCP from the alliance.

Pawar also addressed ongoing concerns about the political utility of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, especially in light of the BJP's disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. He dismissed critical remarks from an RSS-linked weekly and confirmed that he has had discussions about the alliance with key BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

(With inputs from agencies.)