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The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) on Wednesday announced that it will launch statewide agitations to highlight public grievances and press for their resolution by the ruling government in Maharashtra. The party signalled a more aggressive political stance as it seeks to strengthen its connect with citizens across the state, reported news agency PTI.

Party to Take ‘Aggressive Stand’ on Public Issues

State unit president Shashikant Shinde said the party would “hit the streets” to ensure that issues affecting the common people are addressed promptly.

“We will take an aggressive stand to ensure that the concerns of Maharashtra’s citizens are resolved by the ruling side,” Shinde said while speaking to reporters after a party meeting in Mumbai, reported PTI.

He emphasised that the party remains committed to raising pro-people issues and holding the government accountable.

Organisational Strengthening Underway Across State

Shinde highlighted that the party has recently undertaken a series of initiatives to strengthen its organisational structure. District-level meetings were conducted across Maharashtra over the past week as part of this effort, reported PTI.

These meetings aimed at boosting grassroots engagement and preparing the party cadre for upcoming political challenges. He noted that several key organisational decisions had been pending due to a continuous cycle of elections and are now being addressed.

Supriya Sule Leads Internal Meetings

The party’s internal restructuring efforts are being overseen by Supriya Sule, who has been actively participating in meetings of various party cells.

According to Shinde, these meetings are focused on identifying capable workers and assigning them organisational responsibilities to strengthen the party’s presence at multiple levels, reported PTI.

He added that party workers continue to remain committed and united, providing a strong foundation for future political campaigns.

Agitation Planned to Address Citizens’ Grievances

The NCP (SP) leadership indicated that the planned protests will focus on key issues affecting citizens, though specific topics were not detailed. The agitation is expected to bring attention to governance-related concerns and demand timely intervention from the state government, reported PTI.

Party leaders believe that taking to the streets will help amplify public voices and increase pressure on authorities to act.

Leadership Downplays Defection to BJP

Responding to the recent defection of leader Samarjeet Ghatge to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shinde sought to minimise its impact.

He stated that Ghatge had originally been associated with the BJP and had joined the NCP (SP) ahead of the 2024 assembly elections seeking a ticket. After contesting and losing from Kagal in Kolhapur district, he has now returned to his former party, reported PTI.

Opposition Strategy Gains Momentum

The announcement of statewide protests signals a renewed push by the NCP (SP) to consolidate its position as a key opposition force in Maharashtra. With organisational strengthening and public outreach initiatives underway, the party appears to be gearing up for an intensified political battle in the months ahead.