Senior NCP Leader Praful Patel Dismisses Reports of His Appointment as Party President
Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel on Sunday firmly refuted media reports suggesting he had been appointed as the national president of the party following the tragic death of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Patel described the widespread speculation as "totally baseless and lacking truth", addressing the rumors that had gained momentum across political circles and social media platforms.
Clarification Issued Amid Political Speculation
The rumors reportedly gathered traction after Union minister Piyush Goyal, in a recent media interview, hinted that Patel would likely lead the NCP in the aftermath of Ajit Pawar's demise. This claim prompted Patel to issue a public clarification through his official social media account. "I noted a few reports circulating in the media regarding my appointment as the NCP (AP) national president. I wish to state with absolute clarity these reports are totally baseless and lack any truth," Patel wrote on the platform X.
He emphasized that the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) operates as a democratic institution, and any significant decision regarding leadership would follow proper internal consultation processes. "A decision of this magnitude will only be made by consulting our senior leadership and MLAs, engaging with dedicated party office-bearers, and respecting the sentiments and collective will of all our party members," Patel stated, adding that the party adheres to established protocols in such matters.
Succession Dynamics After Ajit Pawar's Sudden Death
Patel's clarification came just three days after the untimely death of Ajit Pawar, who was serving as the NCP national president. The 66-year-old leader died in a plane crash in Baramati, triggering intense speculation about succession within the party and its future organizational structure.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, was swiftly elected as the leader of the NCP legislature party and subsequently sworn in as deputy chief minister on Saturday. This rapid development led to demands from certain sections within the party that she should also assume the role of party president, further complicating the succession narrative.
Impact on NCP Faction Merger Discussions
Ajit Pawar's sudden demise has also significantly affected the ongoing merger discussions between the two NCP factions, which had reportedly reached an advanced stage. Senior leaders, including Praful Patel and state chief Sunil Tatkare, have maintained silence on the merger issue, while other leaders like Narhari Zirwal continue to advocate for party unity.
A senior NCP source revealed that "within NCP, there is a struggle for control of the organisation. One faction wants to maintain control and is not keen on a merger." The haste in appointing Sunetra Pawar as legislature party leader and deputy chief minister has been interpreted by some political observers as a strategic move to retain organizational control during this transitional period.
Sources further indicated that these recent developments did not sit well with NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar. When questioned about Sunetra Pawar's swearing-in ceremony, Sharad Pawar responded tersely, stating, "I am not aware", highlighting the underlying tensions within the party's leadership circles.
