Sharad Pawar's Dalit-OBC outreach is a concern for Shiv Sena & Congress

The NCP is perceived as a Maratha-dominated party, but it is trying to form a social coalition, also comprising Dalits and OBCs

Bhakri firawli naahi tar karapte — the bhakri (unleavened bread of jowar or bajra flour) will burn if you do not flip it while cooking. This saying stressing the inevitable need for a change to avoid political stagnation is often attributed to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. Living up to this dictum, the NCP — the fulcrum of the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra — is looking to expand its socio-political footprint.

Though communities do not vote as monolithic blocs, the NCP is perceived as a Maratha-dominated party. Hence, Pawar’s overtures to sections like Dalits,