‘Sunil Tatkare’s election illegal’: Complaint challenges Maha NCP chief's reappointment

Supriya Sule, a senior leader within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), recently met with Sunetra Pawar and her son, Parth Pawar, amid growing speculation about internal tensions within the party. According to reports, the meeting took place earlier this week and followed a period of increased unrest surrounding the leadership structure of the NCP. The encounter is believed to have occurred in response to recent developments involving Prashant Kishor, a prominent poll strategist who has played a key role in shaping the party’s electoral strategies. The situation escalated further when Bhausaheb Gore, an NCP office-bearer from Jalna, filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) challenging the reappointment of Sunil Tatkare as the Maharashtra NCP president. The complaint alleges that Tatkare’s re-election was conducted illegally, violating the party’s constitutional procedures. Gore argued that the election process lacked transparency, with no official announcement of the election program, no set dates for nomination filings or withdrawals, and no appointment of a returning officer. These procedural lapses, he claimed, rendered Tatkare’s re-election invalid, particularly given that his term was set to expire in July 2026. This challenge follows a similar legal action initiated by Sachchidanand Singh, another NCP office-bearer, who had previously questioned Sunetra Pawar’s election as the party’s national president. Both cases highlight deepening divisions within the NCP, which has historically served as a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra and at the national level. The ongoing disputes over leadership appointments have sparked concerns about the stability of the party’s internal hierarchy and its ability to maintain cohesion in the lead-up to crucial elections. Tatkare was re-elected as Maharashtra NCP president on February 26, alongside Sunetra Pawar, who was elected as the party’s national president, and Praful Patel, who became the national working president. However, some members of the party have raised questions about the legitimacy of these elections. A leader close to Tatkare defended the process, stating that the election was held under exceptional circumstances following the sudden death of former NCP president Ajit Pawar. This explanation, while acknowledging the unusual context, did little to quell the controversy surrounding the proceedings. The dispute has also reignited discussions about Tatkare’s influence within the party. Earlier this year, several NCP leaders, including Rupali Thombre-Patil, had called for Tatkare’s resignation as state president, citing reports that Prashant Kishor had recommended replacing him with a different candidate. These allegations suggest that Tatkare’s position may have been politically motivated, raising doubts about his continued relevance in the party’s future direction. In addition to these leadership controversies, Sunetra Pawar has implemented a number of organizational reforms since assuming the role of national president. One of the most controversial changes involved removing Praful Patel’s designation as national working president and Sunil Tatkare’s designation as Maharashtra state president from the national Working Committee. While Pawar later admitted that these omissions were unintentional, she failed to correct them, leading to further confusion and dissatisfaction among party members. As the NCP continues to grapple with internal strife, the outcomes of the ECI’s review of both complaints will likely shape the party’s trajectory in the coming months. With the upcoming elections looming, the resolution of these leadership disputes could significantly impact the party’s performance and its relationship with the BJP. For now, the focus remains on the legal and political ramifications of these developments, as the NCP navigates a complex landscape of competing interests and unresolved grievances.