Mumbai: Internal differences within the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) appear to be intensifying, with a group of senior leaders meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, followed by a core committee meeting in Mumbai. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has now called a meeting of all party MLAs, which is expected to test the extent of her support within the organisation.
NCP state president Sunil Tatkare, however, sought to play down reports of discord, insisting that there was no discontent within the party. He said the Delhi meeting had been scheduled in advance and that all party leaders remained united. The discussions, he added, focused on the party’s future role, organisational expansion and its next course of action.
Tatkare also said discussions on a possible merger between the two NCP factions had concluded. Sources said BJP leaders, including Shah, had suggested that the two factions reunite and continue as part of the NDA. However, NCP leaders were not agreeable to the proposal.
At a core committee meeting chaired by Sunetra Pawar, leaders reportedly ruled out any merger with the Sharad Pawar-led faction. Some MLAs also expressed dissatisfaction over Parth Pawar’s functioning, sources said. Party leaders stressed the need to take everyone along and respect the experience and seniority of veteran members. Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar reportedly assured them that they would coordinate with senior leaders and work collectively.
Sources also said the BJP leadership had raised concerns over the way the NCP was being run and asked its leaders to resolve internal differences. The discussions reportedly covered the party’s internal issues and their possible impact on the Mahayuti government.
The NCP is also said to be unhappy that the finance portfolio, which was held by Ajit Pawar before his death, was not allocated to the party. While Sunetra Pawar was given the deputy chief minister’s post after his death, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis retained the finance portfolio.
Senior NCP leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde met Shah in Delhi on Monday morning.
Following the core committee meeting, Sunetra Pawar called an urgent meeting of all party MLAs at her official residence, ‘Devgiri’, in Mumbai at 7 pm on Tuesday. The attendance is expected to offer a crucial indication of the party’s unity and the level of support for her leadership.
