Political 'Earthquake' in NCP? SP Leader Jayant Patil Poised to Join NCP-Sena Camp

Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat has claimed that NCP (SP) senior leader Jayant Patil is most likely to change sides from Sharad Pawar's party to the Ajit Pawar faction.

"I have said this earlier—Jayant Patil is not going to stay in NCP (SP) for long. There will be major turmoil in Sharad Pawar's group. You will see Jayant Patil switching sides to Ajit Pawar's NCP soon," Shirsat said on Thursday.

Shirsat's party, NCP, and BJP are part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra.

This came after Patil's enigmatic comment on his future, which further raised speculation of his resignation from NCP (SP).

Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar admitted that Patil, state president of NCP (SP), seemed unhappy. "We can only guess what he is planning. I do not quite get the meaning of his words. He is an experienced politician, an eight-term MLA, and has had important posts," Wadettiwar said.

The Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray-led (UBT) and NCP (SP) together constitute the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition.

NCP minister Hasan Mushrif also commented on Patil's displeasure, adding that he is aware of the task of maintaining NCP (SP) in the next five years.

In response to Shirsat's comments, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule called the allegation a "flattering compliment," indicating that the ruling alliance does not underestimate Patil's contribution even though it has a robust organizational unit.

The NCP faced a significant split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar and his followers split from Sharad Pawar and joined hands with the Mahayuti, taking the party name and symbol with them. The faction of the senior Pawar was then renamed NCP (SP).

In the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, the NCP won 41 seats, while NCP (SP) won only 10. This poor performance of the party has fueled increasing rumors that some of its leaders are likely to join Ajit Pawar's camp.