NCP (SP) shake-up fuels speculations of Jayant Patil heading to Maha Yuti

Mumbai: Amid developments within the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) regarding the new state president, Maharashtra’s political lens is now focused over Jayant Patil.

The 63-year-old Patil, who is an eight-time MLA from Islampur in Sangli district, is one of the most experienced politicians and his ministerial responsibilities include portfolios like Finance & Planning, Home, Water Resources & Command Area Development.

The question is will Patil switchover from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi to the ruling BJP-led Maha Yuti.

The BJP has been putting out feelers for the past few months.

The foreign-educated politician, mass leader and administrator enjoys very good personal relations with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who calls the shots for the BJP.

Patil, who is considered a close confidante of Pawar, on June 10, the 26th foundation day of NCP (SP), expressed the desire to step down as the state party chief.

“Pawar Saheb gave me a lot of opportunities. He gave me a period of seven years. Finally, the party needs to give a chance to new faces. I will request you in front of all of you to give a chance to new people. Finally, the party belongs to Pawar Saheb. Pawar Saheb should take the right decision on this. We have to go a long way,” Patil said speaking at the Balgandharva Rang Mandir in Pune. He made the statement even as party workers asked him to continue.

Patil, a veteran Maratha politician, who was appointed the state unit chief of NCP in 2018 had sailed through the June-July 2023 split and had managed to retain several people from going to the NCP now led by Ajit Pawar, who is the NCP President and Deputy Chief Minister.

Now reports suggest that Patil has formally stepped down as NCP (SP) President.

While Pawar and NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule, preferred to remain mum before Tuesday’s state executive meeting, NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad said: “Jayant Patil Saheb is the state president. The news of his resignation being circulated is nothing but mischief. The party functions under rules and discipline.”

On the other hand, firebrand leader Shashikant Shinde, a veteran Maratha leader from Satara, is tipped to be the new NCP (SP) state President while the other frontrunners are Rajesh Tope, a Maratha from Marathwada and Sunil Bhusara, a veteran tribal leader.

Reacting to the development, Fadnavis’ confidante and state Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan said: “It appears to me that Patil is unhappy….however, he is in regular touch with me.”

On being asked, Ajit Pawar said: “When I meet him, I will ask him the reason of unhappiness…though I don’t have the right to ask him…may be, I don’t know, he may be looking at a role in national politics.”

On the other hand, Pawar’s grand-nephew and Supriya Sule’s nephew and Karjat-Jamkhed MLA Rohit Pawar, preferred to speak on the issue and asserted that Patil will not leave the party.

About himself, he said: "I have expressed a desire to get some small post but not the position of NCP (SP) state President…the party leadership will take a call on it.”