Veteran leader and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule, MP, visited Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, sparking rumours about NCP’s potential move to support the Centre in the controversial Delimitation Bill, which is likely to be tabled in Parliament during the monsoon session.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has shared four photos of this meeting on his social media handle. Though there was no mention about what transpired in the meeting, Pawar’s could have likely mentioned the CJP protest, as he visited the protesters before heading to the PM’s residence.
Local media reports hint that Pawar is likely to meet the media soon.
The senior leader’s visit holds significance as it comes just days after Sule told reporters that the party could consider supporting the proposal if the government ensured a 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states. Her remarks came amid reports of a possible tie-up between the party and the BJP-led NDA.
Rumours have been strong that the NDA is trying to lure the NCP to its fold, and even senior Congress leaders have expressed their doubts openly. Congress leader Chidambaram had publicly stated that after splitting the TMC, the BJP was now eyeing the NCP.
However, despite Sule’s words, things aren’t smooth within the NCP. Party MLA Rohit Pawar has been vocal against supporting the bill, calling it a trap. “The primary objective of the ruling party in the monsoon session of Parliament, starting tomorrow, is to ensure the passage of the ‘Delimitation Bill.’ To achieve this, they may entice states by promising a 50 per cent increase in seats through sweet talk. However, if we fall into this trap of numbers and support the bill, the constituencies for the Lok Sabha and assembly will be manipulated for political gain, much like the ward restructuring in municipal elections,” he said in a post on X.
But analysts believe that Sharad Pawar's party will back the Centre on the Women's Reservation Bill. Sharad Pawar faction has actively supported the Women's Reservation Bill and would find it appropriate to take advantage of the bill, especially since it could prove beneficial for Sule’s political journey too.
Though there are speculations about whether Pawar’s MPs would agree to this, many feel the leadership has already reached a compromise with the NDA on this.
