Sunetra Pawar calls for NCP unity after national executive row
Synopsis
Sunetra Pawar's first meeting as NCP president was meant to project unity — but a Tatkare-Bhujbal spat on the floor and unresolved questions over a family-heavy national executive told a different story. The NCP's internal fault lines are very much alive, even as the party gears up for a big June 10 anniversary show.
Key Takeaways
Sunetra Pawar chaired the first NCP (Ajit Pawar group) meeting of legislators and MPs on Tuesday, 27 May 2025 , in Mumbai , calling for unity.
The meeting followed turmoil over a new national executive list that named her sons Parth Pawar and Jai Pawar to key posts while omitting veterans Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel .
A verbal duel erupted between state unit chief Sunil Tatkare and senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal during the proceedings.
Tatkare confirmed a revised ECI-compliant national executive letter will be submitted in the coming days.
The party plans a large founding anniversary celebration on 10 June and a joint statewide organisational tour.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) national president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, chaired the first meeting of legislators, Members of Parliament, and senior party functionaries in Mumbai, urging the fractured organisation to speak in one voice and consolidate its position. The gathering came days after the reconstitution of the party's national executive triggered a wave of internal discontent across the NCP (Ajit Pawar group).
The Unity Call
Sunetra Pawar was unambiguous in her address: 'Party unity is paramount; everyone should speak in one voice.' She acknowledged taking on the dual responsibility of party president and Deputy Chief Minister and said she was doing everything to ensure the party's growth, particularly in the wake of the untimely death of her husband and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. She insisted that the NCP has a bright future, but only if all leaders and workers operate in unison.
What Triggered the Turmoil
The crisis was set off by the release of a new national executive list submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI), which sidelined several veteran heavyweights. The document named Sunetra Pawar as National President, her elder son and Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar as National General Secretary, and her younger son Jai Pawar as a National Secretary. Conspicuously absent from their previous positions were Sunil Tatkare, who had served as National General Secretary, and Praful Patel, a long-trusted party veteran. The reshuffle sparked immediate speculation about an internal purge or a deliberate shift of power toward the next generation of the Pawar family.
Tatkare-Bhujbal Verbal Duel
The meeting itself was not without friction. A verbal exchange broke out between state unit chief Sunil Tatkare and senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal. While Tatkare was addressing the gathering, Bhujbal interrupted and asked him to conclude quickly, citing the upcoming coordination committee meeting of the Mahayuti alliance partners. Tatkare, unmoved, continued and stated that he and Praful Patel had been unfairly 'painted as villains', asserting that both had worked diligently to rebuild the party organisation after Ajit Pawar's passing.
What the Party Said on the Executive Dispute
Tatkare informed attendees that a revised national executive letter — as required by the ECI — would be submitted in the coming days. He added that detailed internal discussions among top leaders had taken place and that his remarks had been received positively within the organisation. A party spokesman had earlier clarified that Praful Patel and Tatkare continue to hold their respective posts, though functionaries say they still await direct clarity from Sunetra Pawar.
What Comes Next
The party has resolved to celebrate its founding anniversary on 10 June in a 'big way', signalling its intent to project strength and organisational readiness. Leaders and workers are also set to embark on a joint statewide tour to build a robust grassroots structure. Three experts additionally made presentations at Tuesday's meeting on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the party's role within it. Whether Tuesday's show of unity can hold amid competing ambitions and unresolved structural questions will define the NCP's near-term trajectory.
Point of View
But it cannot substitute for a credible internal governance framework.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the NCP (Ajit Pawar group) face internal turmoil recently?
The turmoil was triggered by the release of a new national executive list submitted to the Election Commission of India, which named Sunetra Pawar as National President and her two sons — Parth Pawar and Jai Pawar — in senior roles, while veterans Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel appeared to be sidelined. This sparked speculation about a family-led power consolidation within the party.
What did Sunetra Pawar say at Tuesday's meeting?
Sunetra Pawar urged all party members to speak in one voice, stating that party unity is paramount. She acknowledged her dual responsibilities as party president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and said she was committed to the party's growth following the death of Ajit Pawar.
What happened between Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal at the meeting?
A verbal exchange broke out when Chhagan Bhujbal interrupted Tatkare mid-address and asked him to wrap up, citing the Mahayuti coordination committee meeting. Tatkare continued speaking, asserting that he and Praful Patel had been unfairly portrayed as villains despite their work in rebuilding the party.
Has the national executive dispute been resolved?
Not fully. Sunil Tatkare confirmed that a revised national executive letter, as required by the ECI, will be submitted in the coming days following internal discussions. However, party functionaries say they still await direct clarity from Sunetra Pawar on the positions of Tatkare and Patel.
What are the NCP's next steps?
The party plans to celebrate its founding anniversary on 10 June in a large-scale event, and leaders are set to undertake a joint statewide tour to strengthen the organisational base. Three experts also made presentations at Tuesday's meeting on the Special Intensive Revision process.
