The NCP (Ajit Pawar) on Wednesday, 20 May categorically rejected media reports alleging that 22 of its legislators are in contact with NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, calling the claims false and misleading. Party spokesperson Umesh Patil told reporters in Mumbai that not a single MLA has met Sharad Pawar with any political intent.

Party's Denial and Press Conference

Following televised reports suggesting that 22 NCP MLAs were planning to defect to the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction, Umesh Patil addressed the media alongside MLAs Sanjay Bansode and Pratap Patil Chikhalikar to assert the party's unified position. He said the press conference was convened specifically to prevent confusion among party legislators arising from what he described as recurring, baseless rumours.

'Running news stories about ruling party MLAs jumping ship to the opposition without any concrete evidence is highly improper,' Patil stated, challenging media channels to produce proof that any such meeting had taken place.

The Sunil Tatkare Visit Explained

Patil addressed a specific incident that had reportedly fuelled speculation — a visit by State President and MP Sunil Tatkare to Sharad Pawar the previous week. He clarified that the meeting was purely a courtesy call to inquire about Pawar's health, a fact Tatkare himself had immediately confirmed to the media following the meeting. Patil maintained there was no political dimension to the visit.

Party Unity Under Ajit Pawar

The NCP spokesperson reaffirmed that the party remains firmly united under the leadership of party president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. While acknowledging that the party operates on democratic values and places no restrictions on MLAs regarding whom they meet, Patil alleged that a section of the media was 'deliberately trying to peddle a fake narrative.'

Underlining the party's momentum, Patil noted that Prabodh Davkhare, son of veteran party leader the late Vasant Davkhare, officially joined the NCP on the same day, with several other leaders and workers from various parties reportedly keen to follow.

Election Commission Letter Still Pending

Separately, Patil confirmed that the party has not yet submitted a fresh letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to correct a clerical error that omitted senior leaders — including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Dilip Walse Patil — from the national executive. The omission also failed to record Praful Patel's designation as national working president and Sunil Tatkare's role as Maharashtra unit president. Patil had clarified on the preceding Saturday that both leaders continue to hold their respective positions.

With the NCP's internal dynamics under close media scrutiny, the party's next moves — including the pending ECI submission — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.