Political turmoil over NCP (Ajit Pawar) national executive list with names of stalwarts missing

Significant political confusion has gripped the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Ajit Pawar Group) following the release of a list detailing its new National Executive. The document, submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI), has intensified discussions across Maharashtra as it appeared to sideline veteran heavyweights in favour of the next generation of the Pawar family. Eyebrows were raised when the names of stalwarts — including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Sunil Tatkare, and Dilip Patil — were missing from the executive list dated April 29.

In the newly-formed national executive, Sunetra Pawar has been mentioned as the National President, her elder son and Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar as the National General Secretary and younger son Jai Pawar as a National Secretary. The absence of Sunil Tatkare, who previously served as National General Secretary, and Praful Patel, a trusted veteran, led to immediate speculation regarding a potential internal purge or a major strategic realignment. As the list went viral on social media, Sunetra Pawar moved quickly to quell the controversy. In a post on 'X' she clarified that the discrepancies were not intentional. "There is a technical error in the list of NCP office-bearers currently circulating in the media. It will be corrected soon," she stated. Sources indicate that a follow-up letter was sent to the Election Commission on the same day to rectify these "technical and clerical errors."

Despite this explanation, political analysts suggest the move may signal the party's underlying intent to elevate younger faces to national prominence. However, of the three page document submitted to the ECI, one page gave details about the establishment of the National Working Committee headed by Sunetra Pawar. This is in addition to the list of the National Executive Committee. Praful Patel has been inducted in the National Working Committee with a designation of NCP leader in Rajya Sabha but there is no mention of him as National Working President. Sunil Tatkare has been designated as NCP leader in Lok Sabha without mention as the Maharashtra unit President. He is no more a National General Secretary.

The list also includes veteran minister Chhagan Bhujbal and senior legislator Dilip Walse Patil but without any official designation. State council member Shivajirao Garje has been appointed as the national treasurer. Parth Pawar and former union minister Subodh Mohite have been assigned the role of general secretary and Jay Pawar as national secretary, disciplinary committee president and treasurer. Further, former agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate, who had to resign amid controversy over playing cards in the Upper House, has found place in the National Working Committee as a member.

In addition, party legislators Chetan Tupe, Shekhar Nikam, Sana Malik and Saroj Ahire are members. The other members include former general secretary Avinash Adik, who has been demoted as national secretary, Dhiraj Sharma, national president (youth) and Toko Tatung, legislator and Arunachal state unit president. National secretaries Sanjay Prajapathi, Rana Ranvir Singh, Raman Preet Singh, Dhananjay Sharma and Abhishek Bokey have also been inducted in the National Working Committee as members.

Incidentally, the former general secretary and national chief spokesperson Brijmohan Shrivastav has not been included either in the National Executive or in the National Working Committee. Amid the confusion and turmoil, Sunetra Pawar, who is in Guwahati, a little while ago in her latest post on X has mentioned Praful Patel as Working President. She said, “I participated in the swearing in ceremony of the Cabinet alongside the newly-elected CM of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari. On this occasion, I had the opportunity to interact with Shri Adhikari and extended my best wishes for his successful political and social career ahead. At the same time, I met our country’s popular Prime Minister Hon Shri Narendra Modi ji, on the dais and accorded him a respectful welcome. On this occasion, the National Working President and MP of the NCP Shri Praful Patel ji and MP Shri Parth Pawar were present.”