Guwahati: The BJP has conveyed to its Maharashtra allies that only a reunited Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would be considered for entry into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), amid speculation that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) may soften its stand on the Delimitation Bill and eventually join the ruling coalition.
A senior BJP office-bearer familiar with the discussions said the party’s central leadership has made it clear that it does not want to create uncertainty for its existing NDA partners in Maharashtra, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
According to the BJP leader, no breakaway faction of the Shiv Sena or the NCP will be allowed to join the NDA independently. Any faction seeking to become part of the alliance must first reunite with its parent party.
The clarification comes as the BJP steps up efforts to secure broader support for the Delimitation Bill and the Women’s Reservation Bill.
The NDA is also expecting support from the newly formed NCPI, which split from the Trinamool Congress, as well as six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who have announced their decision to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The support of the eight Lok Sabha MPs of the NCP (SP) is also considered important for the proposed legislation.
The BJP’s outreach to the Sharad Pawar-led faction has, however, sparked concern within the rival NCP led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.
“The BJP has made it clear that there will be no separate entry of the Sharad Pawar faction into the NDA unless the two NCP factions reunite,” the BJP leader said.
The leader said the party’s stance is also influenced by electoral considerations. While the BJP draws significant support from the Mali, Dhangar and Vanjari communities, the NCP’s traditional support base lies among Maratha voters.
As a result, a merger with the BJP would be politically difficult, while an alliance within the NDA would be more acceptable.
Speculation about a possible political understanding between the BJP-led alliance and the NCP (SP) gained momentum after a photograph of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde meeting Sharad Pawar circulated widely.
However, BJP leaders dismissed the meeting as politically insignificant. According to the BJP leader, the photograph was intended to reassure NCP (SP) legislators that the party leadership remained in control of any political negotiations and to counter speculation that its MPs could be drawn into the NDA.
The discussions come against the backdrop of the government’s failed attempt to pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was introduced alongside the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.
The legislative package failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha in April 2026.
The proposed reforms include reviving the delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census and implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures by increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha to around 850 seats and redrawing parliamentary constituencies.
The BJP is now working to secure the parliamentary support needed to pass the Bills while reassuring its existing allies and seeking backing from regional parties.