Praful Patel Dismisses Reports of NCP Presidency as 'Totally Baseless'
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) working president Praful Patel has strongly denied media reports suggesting his appointment as the party's national president following the tragic death of Ajit Pawar. In a statement issued on social media platform X, Patel categorically rejected these speculations, labeling them as "totally baseless and lacking any truth."
Patel's Firm Denial on Social Media
Praful Patel, who serves as a Rajya Sabha MP, took to X to address what he described as circulating media reports about his potential elevation to the NCP presidency. "I have noted a few reports circulating in the media regarding my appointment as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party," Patel stated in his post. "I wish to state with absolute clarity that these reports are totally baseless and lack any truth."
He emphasized the democratic nature of the NCP, noting that "a decision of this magnitude will only be made by consulting our senior leadership and MLAs, engaging with our dedicated party office-bearers, and respecting the sentiments and collective will of all our party members." Patel further stressed that as a national political party, the NCP follows established processes for such significant organizational decisions.
Political Context and Internal Dynamics
Patel's denial comes at a crucial juncture for the NCP, which is navigating complex internal power dynamics following the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar. The 66-year-old political leader, who served as both NCP president and Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, died in a plane crash in his hometown of Baramati on January 28.
In the immediate aftermath of this tragedy, Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar was elected as the leader of the NCP legislative party on Saturday and subsequently sworn in as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister. This rapid political development has sparked discussions within certain party factions about her potentially assuming the role of party president as well.
Merger Talks and Power Struggles
The political landscape has been further complicated by ongoing discussions about a potential merger between the NCP and the NCP (SP) faction led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar. According to highly-placed NCP sources, these merger negotiations, which had reached an advanced stage, have now been delayed following Ajit Pawar's death.
"Within the NCP, there is a struggle for control of the organisation," revealed a senior party source. "One faction wants to maintain control and is not keen on a merger." The swift elevation of Sunetra Pawar to the deputy chief minister position is perceived by many observers as a strategic move to retain organizational control within the party.
Sharad Pawar's Reaction
Recent developments have reportedly not been well-received by NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar. During a media interaction, when questioned about Sunetra Pawar's swearing-in ceremony as deputy chief minister, Sharad Pawar responded with "I am not aware," indicating potential tensions between the two NCP factions.
The political maneuvering within the NCP continues to unfold against the backdrop of these significant leadership changes and ongoing merger discussions, with Praful Patel's firm denial adding another layer to the complex narrative of succession and organizational control within one of Maharashtra's prominent political parties.
