After Ajit Pawar, NCP weighs old guard against younger faces in leadership reset
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra is considering its next leadership move amid uncertainty following the death of Ajit Pawar. State President Sunil Tatkare's position has been questioned by poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who suggested an organizational overhaul during his interaction with party leader Sunetra Pawar and her son, Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar.
Two potential successors have emerged: senior leader Dilip Walse Patil, representing the party's old guard, and Amalner MLA Anil Bhaidas Patil, a younger figure.
However, Walse Patil has dismissed speculation about his candidacy, stating that there has been no discussion of the matter within the party. He has expressed his willingness to devote his time to organizational work rather than a ministerial position. Dilip Patil, on the other hand, has conveyed to the party leadership that he has no desire for a ministerial role and wishes to focus on organizational efforts.
He has been supportive of Sunetra Pawar's reappointment as state president, despite recent questioning from NCP leader Bhausaheb Gore.
Tatkare, a long-time associate of the late Ajit Pawar, brings over four decades of political experience and has held several key portfolios in the Maharashtra government. A senior NCP leader has defended his continued role, stating that there has been no indication from Sunetra Pawar that she desired his resignation. The issue at hand is tied to the changing dynamics within the NCP after Ajit Pawar's passing, with Sunetra Pawar serving as the party's national president and Parth Pawar increasing his involvement in the organization.
Walse Patil, at 69, embodies continuity, while Amalner MLA Anil Patil, at 57, represents a more youthful faction of the party. A leadership change could signify a significant shift in the party's organizational balance, potentially granting the Pawar family greater control, but also risking the disruption of an experienced leader with a strong following.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
