Maharashtra Politics: Late night secret meeting at Varsha Bungalow; Will Sharad Pawar support Modi government on women’s reservation and delimitation bill?

Once again a secret meeting held at midnight in Maharashtra politics has taken the political turmoil to its peak. On Tuesday night at around 11 pm, a marathon meeting was held in a closed room for about an hour between the senior leaders of both the factions of NCP at the Chief Minister’s residence ‘Varsha’. Senior leaders of Sharad Pawar faction (NCP-SP) Jayant Patil, Prafull Patel of Ajit Pawar faction (NCP) and state president Sunil Tatkare were present in this meeting. However, no official information has been shared as to which issues have been finalized in this high-profile meeting. But, the biggest news that is coming out quoting sources can prove to be a big blow to the opposition ‘India’ alliance in the monsoon session of Parliament. Sharad faction may take a U-turn on the Women’s Reservation and Delimitation Bill. According to sources, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar) may support the Constitution Amendment Bill related to Women’s Reservation and Delimitation to be re-introduced in the Parliament by the Central Government. It is noteworthy that during the budget session, Sharad Pawar’s party had voted against this bill in unison with the opposition. But after the back-channel talks held with the top leadership of BJP in recent times, now a big and shocking change is being seen in the attitude of Sharad Pawar faction. Last time the bill had fallen due to lack of two-thirds majority. According to the information, during the last time it was introduced in the Lok Sabha, this historic Constitution Amendment Bill could not achieve the two-thirds (2/3) special majority required for its passage, due to which the Modi government had to step back. Now the central government is preparing to remove this technical deficiency and present it again with full force in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, for which it also needs the votes of the opposition camp. ‘Masterstroke to prevent a possible breakdown in the party?’ Many political meanings are being made out of this unexpected U-turn in the political analysts and circles: Limited support: There is talk that this support of NCP (Sharad Pawar) will be limited only to this specific Constitution Amendment Bill, and they are not separating from the alliance (INDIA Alliance). Break on rebellion: Experts believe that in view of the recent split in TMC in West Bengal and Shiv Sena (UBT) in Maharashtra, this decision of Sharad Pawar could be part of a deliberate strategy to prevent any possible rebellion or break within his party. In fact, for the last few days, there was strong speculation about some MPs of Sharad faction joining BJP or Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis led Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). CM Devendra Fadnavis himself had contacted Sharad Pawar. Sources claim that in order to pass this very important bill with consensus, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the central high command of BJP had personally contacted Sharad Pawar. Only after this serious consultation, the outline of this secret meeting at Varsha Bungalow was prepared and an in-principle agreement was reached regarding support. However, until this bill is presented on the table of Parliament, there will be suspense on the final and formal position of NCP (Sharad Pawar), as the party has not yet issued any written or official statement on this.