NCP dismisses speculation of internal rift, claims unity under Sunetra Pawar's leadership

In an event heating up Maharashtra politics, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has completely rejected speculations of any kind of internal rift or differences within the party. On Sunday, a meeting of senior NCP leaders was held with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, in which the absence of top party leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, as well as her sons Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar, raised many questions and speculations in political circles. After this sequence of events, discussions gained momentum about whether the party's leadership was being sidelined, but party leaders have termed all these reports as baseless.

According to reports from Hindustan Times and Dainik Bhaskar, senior leaders like Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse Patil, and Dhananjay Munde were involved in this meeting with Amit Shah. This meeting was held at a time when the NCP has suffered a major blow in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections and has had to lose the Aurangabad Graduates seat, which the party had held for 18 years. After this defeat, questions were raised about the party's performance and leadership.

NCP's national chief spokesperson Umesh Patil stated in clear words that the claims that Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar were kept away from the meeting are completely false, baseless, and misleading. He clarified that after the demise of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar had already met Amit Shah regarding various issues that had arisen. During that meeting, Sunetra Pawar had informed the Home Minister that a delegation of senior party leaders would come to meet him, and she herself had requested Amit Shah to allocate time for this meeting. Patil further added that an attempt is being made to create an atmosphere of discord in the party by giving this meeting an unnecessary political color, which is merely the handiwork of mischievous elements.

Maharashtra NCP President Sunil Tatkare, while speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Monday, stated that no discussion of any kind of merger took place in the meeting with Amit Shah. He clarified, “We are united under the leadership of Sunetra Vahini (Pawar) and have discussed the party's organization and operations.” Tatkare said that the issue of the Finance Department, which was previously with Ajit Pawar, was also raised in the meeting. Currently, this department is with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but a decision on it will be taken at the appropriate time. He added that party leaders believe in collective leadership and are working through dialogue.

After returning from Delhi, these leaders held a secret meeting at Chhagan Bhujbal's residence on Monday evening, and subsequently, a core committee meeting was held at Sunetra Pawar's official residence 'Devgiri'. In these meetings, detailed discussions were held on strengthening the organization, the drought situation in Maharashtra, and the responsibilities of the MLAs. Tatkare also said that there is no question of a merger with the NCP (SP), because Sharad Pawar himself has denied this possibility. Additionally, concern was also expressed about Sharad Pawar's health in the core committee meeting. Sharad Pawar has been admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune due to chest pain and difficulty in breathing, where his daughter Supriya Sule stated that his condition is stable.

According to party insiders, after the demise of Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar has taken charge of the party and has made several organizational changes, which include changes in the positions of leaders like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. Discussions were also going on regarding some leaders being unhappy with these changes, but officially the party has dismissed all these speculations. Umesh Patil emphasized that the NCP is an important part of the Mahayuti alliance and the party is fully united under the leadership of Sunetra Pawar and is ready to face future challenges. A meeting of all party MLAs has been called on Tuesday, in which the future strategy will be decided.