Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare on Tuesday, 14 July firmly rejected allegations of an internal split within the party, asserting that the election of Sunetra Pawar as the party's national president was conducted in full compliance with organisational bylaws and the party constitution. His remarks came in response to a legal notice served by former national secretary Sachchidanand Singh demanding the election be declared illegal and void.

What the Legal Notice Alleges

Singh served a comprehensive legal notice on 9 July to the party's top leadership — including National President Sunetra Pawar, National Working President Praful Patel, and National General Secretary Brijmohan Shrivastav, who also serves as the Nodal Officer to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The notice demands the entire election process be declared illegal, non-est, and void.

According to party records dated 17 February 2026, it was agreed that Patel would temporarily officiate as National President following the passing of Ajit Pawar. Singh, however, alleged that proper constitutional protocols were swiftly abandoned. He stated that Shrivastav, acting independently as General Secretary, passed a resolution on 18 February 2026 calling for a National Convention and initiating the election process — without following due constitutional procedure.

Party Leadership Pushes Back

Tatkare dismissed the allegations as entirely baseless, maintaining they were aimed at creating 'artificial friction where none exists.' He said the party would examine the notice and respond through proper legal channels, but asserted the charges carry no merit.

Rajya Sabha leader Praful Patel echoed this position, stating that all senior leaders continue to sit with Pawar to discuss political matters. Patel said he has 'absolutely no connection' with the notice and that Pawar's selection was 'completely in line with the party's rules.' He did, however, acknowledge that internal structural reforms are necessary to fill the organisational vacuum left by Ajit Pawar's demise — though he was careful to separate this view from the legal challenge.

A Dissenting Voice from Within

Notably, Brijmohan Shrivastav — who was dropped from his position as General Secretary during the reconstitution of the national executive council and national working committee on 29 April 2026 — offered a starkly different assessment. While maintaining that no one opposes Pawar's leadership, Shrivastav said Singh's objection regarding the election process is 'legally valid.'

Shrivastav attributed the growing unrest to a 'complete lack of communication' within the party since Ajit Pawar's passing. He claimed that the disconnect extends not just to grassroots workers but to the topmost leadership, including between Pawar, Tatkare, and Patel themselves. 'Running an organisation is not that simple; it requires constant dialogue,' he said, adding that new inductees into the executive committee appear to believe 'everything runs on autopilot.'

The Shadow of Ajit Pawar's Absence

Multiple voices within the party — including Patel and Shrivastav — acknowledged that Ajit Pawar's demise has left a significant void. Patel remarked on Monday that while it is difficult to fill that vacuum, the party must take corrective steps to remain relevant in both state and national politics. Shrivastav described Ajit Pawar's management of the party and government as 'extraordinary and incomparable,' and warned that multiple shortcomings have surfaced at various levels since his departure.

Party insiders, however, maintain that the NCP leadership views Singh's notice as an isolated grievance rather than a systemic challenge, and that the organisation remains unified behind Pawar. How the party navigates this legal and organisational test will signal its cohesion ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.