Nationalist Congress Party
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), founded in 1999, is a major political party in India. Explore its latest activities, statements, and role in the current political landscape.
Current vs. Opposition
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Ruling Party (National)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
Opposition Party
History & Achievements
The Nationalist Congress Party has historically described itself as a secular, democratic and progressive political organisation committed to social justice, equality, inclusive development and federalism.
1999–2014 | 2019–2022 | 2023–present
History
The Nationalist Congress Party was founded in 1999 by Sharad Pawar, P. A. Sangma and Tariq Anwar after their differences with the leadership of the Indian National Congress. The party was formally registered with the Election Commission of India on 5 July 1999. The Election Commission records that the party emerged from a split in the Indian National Congress and achieved recognition as a national party after its performance in the 1999 Lok Sabha election.
NCP quickly established itself as a major political force in Maharashtra. Sharad Pawar became the party's most prominent leader and built an extensive political organisation across the state.
In the 1999 Maharashtra Assembly election, the NCP emerged as a significant force. Despite contesting separately from Congress initially, the two parties subsequently formed a coalition government in Maharashtra. This began a long period of Congress-NCP cooperation in the state.
The NCP also developed an important presence in national politics. Its leaders represented Maharashtra and other states in Parliament, while Sharad Pawar held important positions in the Union government.
At the national level, the NCP became a constituent of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) during the Congress-led governments between 2004 and 2014. Sharad Pawar served as a Union Cabinet minister, including as Minister of Agriculture.
In Maharashtra, the NCP participated in coalition governments for much of the period from 1999 to 2014 and remained an important player in the state's coalition politics after 2014.
The party's political position changed significantly after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly election. The NCP became part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) along with the Congress and Shiv Sena, and the alliance formed the Maharashtra government in November 2019.
The NCP subsequently experienced a major organisational split in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar and a group of legislators joined the Maharashtra government led by the BJP and Shiv Sena. The split resulted in competing claims over the party's name, leadership and election symbol.
In February 2024, the Election Commission of India ruled in favour of the Ajit Pawar-led faction in the dispute over the NCP name and symbol. The Commission allowed the Ajit Pawar group to use the name Nationalist Congress Party and the traditional clock symbol. The Sharad Pawar-led group was subsequently registered under the name Nationalist Congress Party–Sharadchandra Pawar and was allotted the man blowing turha symbol for the relevant elections.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election therefore saw the two factions contesting separately under different names and symbols. The Election Commission's Maharashtra results list both Nationalist Congress Party and Nationalist Congress Party–Sharadchandra Pawar as separate political affiliations.
Nationalist Congress Party News
MPSC Paper Leak Controversy: Chairman Goes on Leave as Maharashtra Orders Judicial Inquiry
Maharashtra Public Service Commission chairman Vivek Bhimanwar has announced that he will remain on leave while a judicial inquiry examines allegations of examination paper leaks. The decision follows protests by MPSC aspirants in Pune, supported by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar. The controversy has renewed concerns about recruitment examination transparency, accountability and the protection of candidates preparing for government jobs.
By Shivani CH • 5 views
