Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Maharashtra President and Member of Parliament Sunil Tatkare on Friday, 5 June announced that the party's 27th Foundation Day will be observed on 10 June under the theme 'Dedication, Struggle and Resolve' — a celebration that carries an unmistakable weight of grief, given it is the first such event following the untimely passing of former party president and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Theme and Programme Details

The three-part theme is deliberately symbolic: 'Dedication' is framed as a tribute to the late Ajitdada Pawar; 'Struggle' reflects the party's political and ideological journey over 27 years; and 'Resolve' signals the organisation's vision and goals going forward. The event will be held under the leadership of NCP National President and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar.

In the run-up to the celebrations, Tatkare conducted a Zoom meeting with party MLAs, district presidents, state office-bearers, heads of various cells, and key functionaries from across Maharashtra to coordinate preparations.

Ajit Pawar's Legacy at the Centre

Tatkare paid tribute to the late leader, noting that Ajit Pawar had worked relentlessly to expand the party's grassroots presence across Maharashtra. Under his stewardship, the NCP emerged as the single-largest party in the 2004 Maharashtra Assembly elections, winning 73 seats.

Tatkare also recalled the pivotal 2023 decision, guided by the legacy of late Yashwantrao Chavan, when the party — under Ajit Pawar's leadership — collectively resolved to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He said the rationale was rooted in the belief that meaningful welfare for the broader public could only be achieved through active participation in governance. Senior leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal, Praful Patel, Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse-Patil, and Dhananjay Munde, along with a majority of the party's legislators, backed the move.

Electoral Performance and the Mahayuti Government

Reflecting on recent electoral outcomes, Tatkare acknowledged that the party fell short of expectations in the Lok Sabha elections. However, he pointed to a strong showing in the subsequent Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the NCP contested 59 seats and won 41 — a strike rate of nearly 72 per cent. The Mahayuti government returned to power on the back of that performance.

'Just as the government had begun gathering momentum, our own momentum was halted by Ajitdada's untimely passing,' Tatkare said. 'It has now been four months since we lost him, and the pain remains profound.'

Call to Party Workers

Tatkare appealed to NCP workers and leaders across Maharashtra to attend the Foundation Day programme in large numbers, urging them to use the occasion to strengthen the organisation, broaden the party's reach, and launch the next phase of work with renewed energy. The event is seen as a critical moment for the party to regroup and project unity under new national leadership.