Big political conflict in NCP after 6 months of Ajit Pawar’s death! Challenge given to Sunetra Pawar’s presidential election Six months after Ajit Pawar’s death, the NCP is in a major political turmoil! Sunetra Pawar’s presidential election is challenged

After the demise of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar in an unfortunate helicopter crash in January this year, a major political and organizational crisis now seems to be looming over the leadership of his wife and current Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who took charge of the party. Almost six months after the death of Ajit Pawar, internal discord within the party has come to the surface. A senior NCP official has legally challenged the election of Sunetra Pawar as the national president, causing a new upheaval in the politics of Maharashtra.

Claim of unconstitutional election and violation of process

A formal legal notice has been sent to Sunetra Pawar, National Working President Praful Patel and General Secretary Brijmohan Srivastava on July 9 on behalf of NCP National Secretary Sachchidanand Singh through Delhi-based reputed law firm ARS Associates. This notice claims that the presidential election held on February 26 was completely unconstitutional and should be declared ‘invalid’ with immediate effect. It has been alleged that the election process was carried out in a hurry, disregarding the mandatory provisions of the party’s constitution, and without any due prior notice or programme.

Accusation of calling the convention without Central Election Authority

The legal notice also alleges in detail that soon after Ajit Pawar’s demise, the party had informed the Election Commission that Praful Patel would function as the acting national president till the election of a new president. Despite this, the national convention was called by General Secretary Brijmohan Srivastava allegedly without any constitutional authority and the election process went ahead. According to the notice, neither any central election authority was constituted nor any returning officer was appointed as per the party’s constitution, thereby denying the delegates a fair opportunity for nomination or voting.

Demand to withdraw letters sent to Election Commission and party’s counterattack

Petitioner Sachchidanand Singh has also demanded to withdraw the letters sent to the Election Commission on February 28, March 10 and April 29 this year in which the details of the new office bearers are recorded. Also, an ultimatum of 15 days has been given to conduct fresh organizational elections under the supervision of an independent election authority. On the other hand, reacting to this entire controversy, NCP spokesperson Suraj Chavan has completely rejected all these allegations. He retorted that Sachchidanand Singh himself was present at the national convention on 26th February and had raised his hand and voted in support of Sunetra Pawar, and all the rules were completely followed in the election.