Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Growing unease within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) over MP Parth Pawar’s increasing influence has brought several senior leaders together, with a delegation meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the party’s political future, the restoration of the Finance portfolio in Maharashtra and pending organisational decisions.
The meeting has brought renewed attention to widening differences between Parth Pawar and the party’s veteran leaders. Several senior functionaries are reportedly unhappy with decisions and appointments made under the new leadership, particularly the growing influence of Parth in organisational and political matters.
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The delegation that met Amit Shah included Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Sunil Tatkare, Sameer Bhujbal and Praful Patel. Notably, party president Sunetra Pawar and MP Parth Pawar were absent from the meeting, fuelling speculation about internal differences within the party.
The meeting comes shortly after Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar met Amit Shah in Delhi on October 20 without Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. That meeting had raised questions about communication channels within the NCP and Parth Pawar’s growing prominence in organisational and political decisions.
According to sources within the NCP, several senior leaders are unhappy with the manner in which important party appointments are being made. They have also reportedly expressed resentment over Sunetra and Parth directly engaging with the BJP’s central leadership without involving some of the party’s senior functionaries.
The differences reportedly extend to the positions and roles of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, both of whom have played key organisational roles in the party. A letter sent to the Election Commission by the party leadership has also reportedly contributed to tensions between senior leaders and the new leadership.
Against this backdrop, the delegation’s meeting with Amit Shah is being viewed as an attempt by the senior leadership to communicate its concerns and seek clarity on the party’s future direction.
FINANCE PORTFOLIO AND MERGER TALKS
Apart from the organisational differences, the Finance portfolio remains a key issue for the NCP. Ajit Pawar previously held the portfolio, and senior party leaders are seeking its restoration during the next round of cabinet changes in Maharashtra.
On October 25, the NCP’s core committee met at Ajit Pawar’s official residence, Devgiri, in Mumbai. After the meeting, Chhagan Bhujbal told the media that the party was not holding any ongoing discussions about a merger between the two NCP factions. However, he confirmed that leaders had discussed the demand for the Finance portfolio.
The party is also exploring the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle and better coordination with the BJP leadership.
Meanwhile, speculation about a possible merger between the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has intensified. Political circles are discussing the possibility of a merger around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Baramati, although neither faction has made any formal announcement.
Sources within the NCP believe the BJP’s approval would be crucial for any merger. A senior NCP leader told India Today that the BJP’s central leadership might need the support of Sharad Pawar’s eight MPs in Parliament at some point.
“If the two factions merge, the party could regain the Finance portfolio in Maharashtra while also helping strengthen the NDA’s numbers and position at the Centre,” the senior leader said.
PUNE MLC DEFEAT ADDS TO LEADERSHIP CONCERNS
The recent Legislative Council election results have further exposed differences within the NCP. Despite considering Pune Graduates a traditional stronghold, the party decided not to contest the constituency, a move that reportedly disappointed several senior leaders.
In the elections to five Legislative Council seats, the Mahayuti secured two seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi won three.
A senior NCP leader expressed disappointment over the decision to give up the Pune Graduates constituency. According to the leader, several veteran functionaries had pushed for the party to contest the seat, but the new leadership did not show sufficient interest.
The decision, along with the election results and other organisational developments, has added to senior leaders’ concerns about the party’s direction under its new leadership.
NCP REJECTS REPORTS OF INTERNAL DIFFERENCES
Amid the growing speculation, NCP national chief spokesperson Umesh Patil dismissed reports suggesting that the meeting with Amit Shah reflected internal differences or a lack of coordination within the party.
Patil described the meeting as pre-planned and formal. He alleged that certain forces were attempting to give it an unnecessary political colour and create an artificial narrative of discord within the NCP.
He also rejected reports suggesting that Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar had been deliberately sidelined, calling such claims misleading.
However, the sequence of meetings, the absence of Sunetra and Parth from the latest delegation and concerns over organisational appointments have kept the spotlight on the changing power dynamics within the NCP. The party’s efforts to secure the Finance portfolio, improve coordination with the BJP and address differences among its senior leaders are now central to discussions about its political future.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
