Tue Feb 03 17:04:41 UTC 2026: # NCP Leadership in Turmoil After Ajit Pawar’s Death: Sunetra Pawar Poised to Take Over
The Story:
Following the tragic death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar in an air crash, the political landscape of Maharashtra is shifting. Former Union Minister Praful Patel stated on February 3, 2026, that he is not seeking the position of national president of the NCP. Instead, he advocated for Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, to assume the role. This announcement came after Patel’s meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, where the situation in Maharashtra was reportedly discussed. Sunetra Pawar, recently appointed as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, is expected to meet with Modi and Shah after the State Cabinet meeting on February 10.
Key Points:
- Praful Patel denied interest in becoming the national president of the NCP.
- Patel advocated for Sunetra Pawar to assume the position of national president.
- Patel met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the situation in Maharashtra.
- Sunetra Pawar was recently sworn in as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.
- Patel denied any possibility of a merger between the NCP and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar or SP).
- Patel slammed criticism of Sunetra Pawar’s swift appointment, calling it an internal party decision.
- Patel criticized political commentary from Raj Thackeray (MNS) and Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT) regarding NCP leadership.
Key Takeaways:
- The NCP is undergoing a leadership transition following the death of Ajit Pawar.
- Sunetra Pawar is being positioned for a significant leadership role within the party.
- The central government is closely monitoring the political developments in Maharashtra.
- Internal party dynamics and external political commentary are adding complexity to the situation.
- Merger talks between NCP factions are currently denied, with the focus being on internal consolidation.
First Piper 