{
  "id": 19482726,
  "title": "NCP headed for another split? Raut claims 20–22 MLAs may switch to Sharad Pawar’s camp",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/ncp-headed-for-another-split-raut-claims-20-22-mlas-may-switch-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T10:42:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express - India",
    "slug": "the-indian-express-india",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sunetra-pawar-ncp-split-sanjay-raut-20-22-mlas-jump-ship-sharad-pawar-10958948/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has alleged that between 20 and 22 MLAs from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, may defect to Sharad Pawar’s faction. During a press conference in Mumbai, Raut emphasized that these meetings with Sharad Pawar were politically significant, not casual. Raut further stated that these legislators were considering joining either Sharad Pawar’s group or one or two other parties before the next elections. He reiterated his previous statement that Sunetra Pawar's party, which he claims is under the influence of Amit Shah, has 20 to 22 MLAs potentially ready to leave at any moment. Raut criticized the NCP leaders for compromising their self-respect without Ajit Pawar’s leadership. He explained that the legislators had two choices: return to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP or join another party before the elections. Raut clarified that a return to the original party should not be considered a merger. Meanwhile, there is speculation that the two factions of the NCP might merge following these leader meetings. Sunil Tatkare, the NCP (SP) state president, has previously mentioned that Ajit Pawar had told him about the potential merger between the two parties.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Between 20 and 22 NCP MLAs may defect to Sharad Pawar’s faction.",
    "Sanjay Raut claims NCP is under Amit Shah’s influence.",
    "Speculation of NCP faction merger after leader meetings."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Potential mass defections from the Ajit Pawar faction signal a major realignment that could consolidate power back under Sharad Pawar before the upcoming elections.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}