MUMBAI: In a major development within the NCP, it was revealed that after the demise of Ajit Pawar, NCP Working President Praful Patel wrote to the Election Commission of India stating that, in the absence of the national president, he would exercise full authority to take decisions for the party.
However, countering Patel’s claim, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP National President Sunetra Pawar informed the Election Commission that she is the rightful national president. She asserted that any correspondence with leaders other than her should not be considered official party communication.
NCP MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that Praful Patel attempted to hijack the party following Ajit Pawar’s demise. He claimed that Patel, along with NCP State President Sunil Tatkare, wrote to the Election Commission on February 16, 2026, declaring himself the authority in the absence of Ajit Pawar. However, 35 NCP MLAs opposed this move and elected Sunetra Pawar as the party’s national president.
Rohit Pawar further stated that while drafting the letter, Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare did not consult Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar, Jay Pawar, or even the majority of NCP MLAs.
He also alleged that Praful Patel falsely claimed that the NCP constitution had been amended to grant full powers to the working president, effectively making that position equivalent to the national president. According to Rohit Pawar, this claim was disproven by Sunetra Pawar’s communication to the Election Commission.
He added that Sunetra Pawar’s letter clearly stated that any correspondence made between January 28, 2026, and her appointment on February 28, 2026, should be treated as null and void.
Supporting his claims, Rohit Pawar cited a statement by Union Minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal, who reportedly said that Praful Patel had been appointed as NCP national president—indicating, according to Pawar, a larger plan to take control of the party.
Rohit Pawar also advised Sunetra Pawar to remain cautious about those around her, noting that Ajit Pawar, with over 40 years of political experience, had a strong ability to judge people’s intentions.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Police have registered a zero FIR in the aircraft crash case involving Ajit Pawar, which has now been transferred to Maharashtra for detailed investigation. Rohit Pawar stated that attempts to file an FIR in Maharashtra were initially refused, but the zero FIR registered in Karnataka will now facilitate a proper investigation and help uncover the truth.