Sanjay Raut Predicts Exit Of 20-22 MLAs From Sunetra Pawar-Led NCP

Amid renewed speculation over a possible merger of the two NCP factions, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed that 20 to 22 legislators from the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP could break away and either return to Sharad Pawar’s faction or join other political parties ahead of the next elections.

The Rajya Sabha MP stated that NCP legislators have felt marginalized (“reduced to being slaves”) following Ajit Pawar’s passing and that their ongoing meetings with NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar are politically significant rather than casual.

Calling the Ajit Pawar’s NCP as Union Home



Minister Amit Shah’s party, Raut said, Raut claimed that following the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, NCP legislators had been reduced to “being slaves.”

“Ajit Pawar’s leadership is no longer there. In a sense, the MLAs are being forced into slavery; they have to mortgage their self-respect. In such situation, they will either return to Sharad Pawar’s faction or join other political parties before the next elections.”

Raut remarked that if these legislators return to Sharad Pawar’s faction, it will be their homecoming. “It would not technically be a merger,” he added.