Decision to dissolve NCP units pre-emptive move to avoid Sena-like split?

Political circles in Maharashtra are abuzz with speculation about what prompted the Maratha strongman to take the decision; the most prominent being the imminent threat of a split that parties are anticipating after the trouble in Shiv Sena.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday dissolved all the departments and cells, with the party's National General Secretary, Praful Patel, announcing the dissolution of the departments and cells 'with immediate effect'.

The development comes days after party chief Sharad Pawar had called for a crucial meeting of the party leaders last month.

Political circles in Maharashtra are abuzz with speculation about what prompted the Maratha strongman to take the decision; the most prominent being the imminent threat of a split that parties are anticipating after the trouble in Shiv Sena.

Also Read: | Sharad Pawar dissolves all departments, cells of NCP

Eknath Shinde's rebellion initially split the Sena legislative party that toppled the Uddhav Thackeray government. This was soon followed by party MPs joining the rebel faction.

For Shinde, the split in the legislature or parliament was not enough to control the party. According to the law, the split has to be within the party set up. The Shinde faction is now gaining support from office bearers.

The growing support Maharashtra’s new chief minister is getting from the party's frontal organisations would mean that a large section of the party is joining his camp.