Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde met in Mumbai on July 8.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar has welcomed the Maharashtra government’s decision to revise its farmer loan waiver scheme, saying the changes will benefit millions of farmers. He also thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for removing conditions that, according to him, would have excluded a large number of beneficiaries.
The remarks come amid renewed speculation over the political future of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, with rumours suggesting it could join the NDA or merge with the Congress. However, the party has denied the reports.
Pawar welcomes changes to loan waiver scheme
In a statement issued on Friday, Pawar said the state government had initially announced the loan waiver scheme to provide relief to farmers affected by natural disasters and falling agricultural prices. However, he noted that certain eligibility conditions would have prevented many farmers from receiving the benefit.
Under the original scheme, farmers who had already availed relief under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme of 2019 were eligible for assistance of up to ₹50,000. It also required farmers with a record of regular loan repayment to clear crop loans for the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
Pawar said these conditions would have excluded millions of farmers from the scheme. He welcomed the state government’s decision to withdraw the restrictions, calling it a move in line with farmers’ interests.
Party rejects rumours of joining NDA
The developments have fuelled speculation about the Sharad Pawar-led NCP’s political alignment. However, the party’s Maharashtra unit president, Shashikant Shinde, dismissed reports of joining the NDA or merging with the Congress, describing them as rumours.
Sources said several senior leaders within the party are opposed to any move towards the NDA, with MLA Rohit Pawar also reportedly against such a decision.
Recent meetings trigger political buzz
The speculation intensified after Sharad Pawar attended a meeting on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on July 8. He later met party MLAs in Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office, prompting political discussions.
According to sources, Shinde briefly left another meeting to meet Pawar after learning of his arrival. However, neither side has disclosed the details of their discussions.
Separately, BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde and senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil met at a hotel in Mumbai earlier this week, further fuelling speculation.
Jayant Patil later said the meeting in Shinde’s office was held there only for convenience, citing Sharad Pawar’s age and health, as the room is located close to the exit of the Vidhan Bhavan.
Background
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was founded in 1999 by Sharad Pawar, P.A. Sangma and Tariq Anwar after the trio split from the Congress over the issue of Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin. The party later split in 2023, with one faction led by Ajit Pawar and the other by Sharad Pawar.
