Sharad Pawar's NCP likely to back NDA on delimitation bill, Opposition unity under strain

Sharad Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party is expected to support the Narendra Modi government's proposed delimitation bill, according to sources, marking what could be a significant departure from the Opposition's united stand on the issue.

If the party votes in favour of the legislation, it would part ways with the broader Opposition bloc, which had collectively opposed the bill during the previous Parliament session. 

The development comes amid fresh political buzz after senior leaders from both NCP factions reportedly held separate late-night meetings with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The meetings have fuelled speculation that the two rival camps within the NCP could be inching closer to reconciliation, while also exploring a possible understanding with the NDA at the national level.

Reacting to the speculation, NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule stopped short of confirming the party's position.

She said the faction would take a call only after examining the final version of the bill, suggesting that its support would depend on the legislation's provisions rather than political considerations alone.