Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) working president Praful Patel on Sunday categorically denied reports suggesting that he had been appointed party chief after Ajit Pawar’s death and dismissed these speculations as unfounded and false.
In a post on X, Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP, said: “I have observed (some) reports circulating in the media regarding my appointment as National President of the Nationalist Congress Party. I wish to state with absolute clarity that these reports are totally baseless and devoid of truth.”
I have noticed few reports circulating in the media regarding my appointment as National President of the Nationalist Congress Party. I wish to state with absolute clarity that these reports are totally unfounded and devoid of truth.
The Nationalist Congress Party is a…
– Praful Patel (@praful_patel) February 1, 2026
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“The Nationalist Congress Party is a democratic institution. A decision of this magnitude will only be taken in consultation with our senior leaders and MLAs, interacting with our dedicated party functionaries and respecting the sentiments and collective will of all members of our party. Being a national party, we follow the established process in these matters,” he added.
Patel’s position is politically important as it comes amid discussions of internal power struggles within the NCP and a possible merger with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).
Ajit Pawar, 66, who was serving as NCP president and deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash in his hometown of Baramati on January 28.
Immediately after the death of Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar was elected leader of the NCP legislative party on Saturday and was subsequently sworn in as deputy chief minister of Maharashtra. This led to certain factions within the party calling for her to also take on the role of party president.
Ajit Pawar’s death has impacted the ongoing discussions between the two factions of the NCP. The merger talks, which were at an advanced stage, have now been delayed.
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A senior PNC source said: “Within the PNC there is a fight for control of the organization. One faction wants to maintain control and is not interested in a merger.” The haste with which Sunetra Pawar was appointed legislative party leader and deputy minister is also seen as a move to retain control of the party.
Sources indicated that recent developments have not gone well with NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, who, during a media interaction, expressed ignorance about Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in ceremony. “I don’t know,” she replied when asked if she had taken over as deputy CM.