NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar chairs review meeting to assess political situation, revive party

Mumbai: Amid reports of internal strife in the ruling Sunetra Pawar-led NCP, discord within the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) seems to have become public.

During the organisational review meeting, chaired by NCP (SP) supremo Sharad, his grandnephew Rohit Pawar was absent raising eyebrows.

However, the MLA later clarified that he had to rush to Karjat-Jamkhed in Ahilyanagar district and Baramati in Pune district to address farmers' water supply issues.

The top leadership of the NCP (SP) including national working president Supriya Sule, state unit president Shashikant Shinde, NCP (SP) legislature party leader Jayant Patil, national general secretary, Dr Jitendra Awhad were present, MPs and MLAs were present at the meeting held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre at Nariman Point in Mumbai.

The meeting was convened to assess the political situation in the country as well as Maharashtra and to formulate strategies to revive the party.

The NCP (SP) meeting took place at a time when the NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra, faces issues with veterans including national working president Praful Patel and state president Sunil Tatkare being sidelined.

Last week, Patel and Tatkare met Sharad Pawar, however, this was described as a courtesy call to inquire about their political mentor's health.

Meanwhile, Rohit Pawar took to X and clarified that he had to skip the meeting due to issues involving farmers.

“The reports aired on some media sections about me being upset are baseless. We are workers functioning under the guidance of respected Pawar Saheb,” he said adding that the critical issue of water from the Janai-Shirsai project for farmers in the Kukadi region in Karjat-Jamkhed and in Baramati forced him to make an unplanned visit to the Irrigation Bhavan in Pune."

“Had there not been pressure on the administration and had they honoured their promise to release the water, I could have attended the pre-scheduled meeting in Mumbai today instead of coming to the Irrigation Bhavan in Pune,” he said.

"One thing is certain, though—the farmers and common people of the state are in great distress today, and for that, there is an unequivocal need to take a firm stand and hit the streets. I have faith that the party and senior leaders will take the right decision on this today,” added Rohit Pawar.

The matter of merger has ended: Shinde

Speaking about the meeting, Shashikant Shinde said, "The meeting has been convened to further activate the party and to prepare an aggressive approach against the ruling government in the coming days…I want to make it very clear that the issue of merger (of NCP and NCP (SP) has ended. This issue would not be discussed anymore.”

When pointed out that there is confusion among the workers of two parties, he said, “Media is creating this confusion. I am saying this again that the issue of merger has ended….when (the then deputy chief minister and NCP national president) late Ajit Pawar was there it was initiated, however, he is no more now.”

On Rohit’s statement on party leaders not working as they should be, he said that he has not heard the statement he made in media.

Regarding the claim that NCP leaders and 22 MLAs are upset and ready to switch over, he said there is no such proposal. On Patel and Tatkare meeting Sharad, he said that the NCP (SP) supremo is a senior leader.

Shinde said that the NCP (SP) will strengthen its organisations. “Besides after 15 August, the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners - Congress, NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) will be holding meetings,” he added.