The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) issued a firm clarification on Monday, November 2, 2026, denying reports of an internal leadership rift following a high-level delegation’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
The delegation included national working president Praful Patel, Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare, senior ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Hasan Mushrif, alongside senior leaders Dilip Walse Patil and Dhananjay Munde. The meeting sparked political buzz after occurring in the absence of NCP national president Sunetra Pawar and her son, MP Parth Pawar.
Delhi Meeting and Core Committee Deliberations
Following their return to Mumbai on Monday evening, the leaders gathered at Chhagan Bhujbal’s official residence before heading to Devgiri, the official residence of Sunetra Pawar, for a scheduled core committee meeting.
Briefing reporters outside Devgiri, state president Sunil Tatkare dismissed speculations regarding internal friction or potential merger discussions:
“We discussed the functioning of the party and how to remain united under the leadership of Sunetra Vahini (Pawar). There was no question of a merger. We discussed organizational matters, pending appointments, and challenges in a cordial atmosphere.”
Party Refutes ‘Leadership Crisis’ Narrative
Addressing the media, NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil clarified that Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar had personally met Amit Shah earlier in New Delhi to discuss party affairs following the tragic demise of former NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an air crash in January.
- Prior Authorization: During her earlier meeting, Sunetra Pawar had personally informed the Union Home Minister that a separate delegation of senior leaders would interact with him to address constituency-specific matters and coalition coordination within the Mahayuti alliance.
- Refuting Crisis Allegations: The NCP released an official statement labeling reports of deliberate exclusion as an attempt by “unseen forces” to manufacture an artificial narrative of a leadership crisis following recent MLC poll setbacks and organizational restructurings.
