The Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is confronting a deepening internal crisis, with power struggles, administrative lapses, and a contested leadership succession threatening the party's cohesion ahead of the 2029 election cycle. The fault lines sharpened after reports emerged that political strategist Prashant Kishor held discussions with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and party president Sunetra Pawar and MP Parth Pawar on the party's long-term strategy.

The Kishor Meeting and Senior Leaders' Pushback

NCP State President and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare publicly stated he had no knowledge of any formal appointment of Prashant Kishor as a party consultant — a candid admission of the disconnect between the party's emerging leadership and its senior echelon. Tatkare stressed that building a political organisation demands direct engagement with grassroots workers, a pointed critique of reliance on professional consulting over traditional outreach. According to reports, Kishor's discussions with Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar centred on long-term planning for the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, including possible organisational restructuring at the state level.

The Succession Dispute at the Core

The current crisis traces back to the sudden death of then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, after which Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. While National Working President Praful Patel had been widely expected to assume the leadership role, Parth Pawar — Ajit Pawar's son — gradually consolidated control over party administration, intensifying tensions with the senior guard. Patel has since remarked that a leadership vacuum persists within the party, arguing that operational reforms are essential to broaden its base.

Election Commission Notices and Administrative Lapses

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a formal notice directing the NCP to submit verified organisational resolutions following a complaint regarding party governance. A separate complaint challenged the validity of the meeting in which Sunetra Pawar was elected party president. Compounding matters, an official list of national office-bearers submitted to the ECI omitted operational designations for both Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare — listing Patel only as the Rajya Sabha party leader and Tatkare as the Lok Sabha party leader. Sunetra Pawar described this as an administrative error to be corrected, but senior leaders say no formal rectification has been made. The visible distance between factions was underscored during Sunetra Pawar's recent visit to New Delhi, where neither Patel nor Tatkare featured in her schedule.

Bhujbal's Dissent and Parth Pawar's Ambitions

Senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal publicly expressed dissatisfaction over Parth Pawar's reported involvement in a tender process linked to the Food and Civil Supply Department. Party insiders attribute much of the internal friction to Parth Pawar's political ambitions: observers suggest he has sought to curtail the influence of veterans like Patel and Tatkare to consolidate his own standing. This is not the first time Parth Pawar has engaged political consulting operations — he had previously played a role in hiring consultants during earlier election campaigns.

BJP Watches, Congress Taunts, and the Road to 2029

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently signalled that any discussions on potential party mergers or major structural realignments within the alliance would require prior consultation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, which leveraged partnerships in Western Maharashtra's sugar belt during recent elections, is closely monitoring how the NCP faction's internal dynamics evolve. Meanwhile, the state Congress drew attention — and backlash — after its official X handle referred to Sunetra Pawar as 'Gungi Gudiya' (silent doll). The remark generated public sympathy for her, but analysts note the party has struggled to convert that sympathy into political momentum, with workers awaiting more decisive public leadership from both Sunetra and Parth Pawar. The Ajit Pawar faction enters the next electoral cycle carrying unresolved questions of authority, legitimacy, and direction — challenges that will only intensify as 2029 draws closer.