13 July,2026 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut said Pawar remains committed to the opposition alliance. File Pic
Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday dismissed speculation that Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP) could move closer to the BJP-led ruling alliance, saying the veteran leader would never consider leaving the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), reported the PTI.
Raut said Pawar remains committed to the opposition alliance and continues to play the role of a senior guide.
Speaking to reporters, Raut said Sharad Pawar was becoming increasingly "impartial" and was attempting to maintain relations across political lines.
"Sharad Pawar is becoming impartial day by day. He belongs to everyone. He has become neutral, and he is our guide. He is taking everyone along," Raut said, according to the PTI.
His remarks came amid discussions over Pawar's recent interactions with leaders from the ruling alliance.
Speculation over Pawar's political position intensified after he met his party MLAs at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's office at the Vidhan Bhavan complex last week, as per the PTI.
Pawar had also welcomed the Mahayuti government's decision to relax farm loan waiver norms.
The developments led to questions over whether the NCP (SP) could reconsider its political alignment.
Earlier, Raut had expressed displeasure over Pawar's meeting at Shinde's office, saying such actions could affect the credibility of a senior political leader, the news agency reported.
However, on Monday, he defended Pawar and said there was no possibility of him abandoning his allies.
Sharad Pawar is one of the key architects of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and Congress.
Political observers have been closely watching developments within the opposition alliance as Maharashtra's political landscape continues to evolve.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congree Party (NCP SP) leader Supriya Sule, last week Friday dismissed speculation surrounding her father's recent meeting with party legislators inside Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde's cabin at the Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai, asserting that the interaction was purely coincidental and not politically significant.
While talking to the media in New Delhi, Sule said that Pawar had visited the Maharashtra Legislature and was approached by the party's Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), who wished to meet him. As Shinde's cabin was the nearest available space, the meeting took place there without any prior planning.
(with PTI inputs)
