Number theory: The relevance of NCP in Maharashtra and India
Sharad Pawar formed the NCP in 1999, after opposing Sonia Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate, and leaving the Congress
In a surprise announcement during the launch of his autobiography on May 2, Sharad Pawar said he is stepping down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This announcement followed rumours that a section of the party led by his nephew Ajit Pawar was planning to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra. While Ajit Pawar has denied these rumours, he did have a short-lived alliance with the BJP after the 2019 assembly elections to form a BJP-NCP government, although this was done without Sharad Pawar’s knowledge. Does this mean that the NCP is likely to split? The answer to this question is best known to NCP legislators. However, even Pawar stepping down as the president of the NCP -- if he goes through with his decision -- will be a big change in what is essentially a family-run party. How important is this party and what would its growth or decline mean? Here are four charts that answer that.

