Parth Pawar meets Fadnavis amid reports of rift within NCP

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis addresses a press conference in Pune, Maharashtra on May 17, 2026. Image: Screenshot from a video posted on X/@Dev_Fadnavis

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP and son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday (May 16, 2026) and Sunday (May 17, 2026) amid reports of internal tension in the NCP.

“Parth Pawar met me. There were some administrative and political issues. We are alliance partners. I don’t think it is such a big news,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters in Pune on Sunday (May 17, 2026).

NCP sources said the two leaders also briefly discussed issues within the NCP. “The seat in the Rajya Sabha is falling vacant. We have a few names in mind. That has also been discussed,” said one of the leaders.

The rift within the NCP is being talked about quietly, though Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare are still agitated. The leaders met Sharad Pawar during what the leader described as “turbulent times”.

“It seems to some of us that Parth Pawar is in a rush to take control of the party. There are several issues which include lack of trust, misunderstanding and what appears to be over-zealousness to take control,” a senior official told The Hindu.

Meanwhile, NCP leader Umesh Patil rubbished speculations of tension within the party and said reports of removal of Mr Tatkare and Mr Patel from key posts were baseless. “It is NCP SP leaders like Rohit Pawar who are spreading all these rumours,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether NCP leaders and party workers had appealed to Sharad Pawar to intervene, he said there was no doubt that his party members would approach leaders of other parties.

“Sunetra Vahini is leading this party. He will take decisions in this party. These speculations are being spread to fuel misunderstanding and confusion in the party cadres. How can the ruling party join the opposition party,” he asked. The leader denied reports that Mr Patel and Mr Tatkare were not allowed to enter the NCP office in Delhi.

NCP (SP) sources confirmed that Mr Tatkare and Mr Patel met Sharad Pawar separately for a few minutes. They confirmed that several NCP leaders had approached Mr. Sharad to intervene and resolve internal issues within the NCP. The NCP (SP) meeting will be held in Mumbai on May 20.

Pawar, Tatkare sidelined?

Party sources said they are trying hard to talk to Mr Tatkar and Mr Patel. They admitted that the two leaders were upset over internal issues, amid talk of them being sidelined in the party and that control had been handed to Parth Pawar and Jaya Pawar. Executives attributed the uproar to a “misunderstanding.”

Referring to the letters written by Sunetra Pawar to the Election Commission, the leader alleged that they were written in haste. “It can be attributed at best to a lack of administrative experience,” said an executive close to Ms. Pawar.

Another letter from the EC, which lists the national office holders, does not contain the names of the leaders. A few days ago, Ms. Pawar said on Twitter that there were clerical errors in the letter and that they would be corrected.

But leaders close to Mr Tatkar and Mr Patel questioned why the names of senior leaders who were appointed along with Ms Pawar were not on the list of office bearers when the national executive was convened this year.

“At the same national convention held on February 22, Praful Patel was appointed as working president. Sunil Tatkare was appointed as general secretary and state president. You cannot omit these names when giving a letter. We have video evidence of this. This has led to confusion. Will this lead to the possibility of another national convention having to be held? A third letter to the EC will now be written.

Published – 17 May 2026 22:46 IST