Ajit Pawar, NCP Leaders Skip PM Modi’s Rally, Fueling Mahayuti Rift Speculation

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and several top leaders of his NCP faction, including Sana Malik, Nawab Malik, and Zeeshan Siddique, skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Park. The absence has ignited speculation of widening cracks within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance, just days before the crucial November 20 assembly elections.

The rally, attended by BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and RPI leaders, was intended to showcase the alliance’s unity. However, the absence of NCP leaders stood out, especially amid murmurs of discontent over the BJP’s controversial “batenge toh katenge” (divided we fall) slogan. Ajit Pawar has openly criticized the slogan, arguing it focuses on Hindutva rather than development, a narrative he believes won’t resonate with Maharashtra’s voters.

In defense, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated the slogan counters the MVA’s campaign and suggested that some allies misunderstood its intent. Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora dismissed the rumors of a rift, claiming, “The Mahayuti is united and contesting elections with full strength.”

Still, Ajit Pawar’s no-show has fueled speculation about internal tensions. Analysts point to ideological differences and dissatisfaction among NCP leaders over the BJP’s campaign tactics, which could strain the fragile coalition.

Facing stiff competition from the MVA alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, the Mahayuti alliance is battling to present a united front. With the elections around the corner, Ajit Pawar’s absence could be a sign of deeper divisions that the coalition must address to secure its position in Maharashtra’s political landscape.