The simmering discontent within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), where leadership transitioned to Sunetra Pawar following the demise of her husband Ajit Pawar, refuses to die down. Former NCP National General Secretary Brijmohan Shrivastav on Tuesday claimed that a massive communication void has emerged within the party since Ajit Pawar's passing.
The internal rift came into the spotlight after former National Secretary Sachchidanand Singh served a legal notice challenging the appointment of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar as the National President of the NCP.
The move sent shockwaves through political circles, triggering speculation over whether national-level office-bearers had launched a rebellion against Sunetra Pawar.
Amid the controversy, Shrivastav, who was dropped as National General Secretary during the reconstitution of the party's national executive council and national working committee on April 29 this year, addressed the growing unrest. He claimed that the lack of communication within the party after Ajit Pawar's demise was the root cause of the resentment among office-bearers and grassroots workers.
Detailing the internal differences, Shrivastav said, "Sachchidanand Singh had written a letter to me and we also spoke, but I could not satisfy his queries. Due to a complete lack of communication within the party, I did not receive any answers myself, which is why I couldn't respond to him. The objection raised by Sachchidanand Singh regarding Sunetra Pawar's appointment as National President is legally valid."
He added that while everyone accepts Sunetra Pawar as the National President and no one is questioning her leadership, the demand is that her election should strictly follow the party's constitution.
"Sachchidanand Singh is a responsible office-bearer, and his demand is justified. I tried to discuss this with senior leaders, but I received no positive response, and no one showed any real interest," he said.
Shrivastav further claimed that the vacuum created by Ajit Pawar's demise had severely affected the party's functioning.
"Multiple shortcomings have surfaced within the party after Ajit Pawar's passing. No one can truly replace Ajit Pawar. The way he ran both the party organisation and the government was extraordinary and incomparable. However, since his departure, many things within the party need urgent correction. There is a severe lack of dialogue now. The constant discussions and interactions among workers and office-bearers have completely come to a halt, leading to widespread unrest," he said.
He also alleged that the communication gap extended to the party's top leadership.
"No one is interfering with Sunetra Pawar's authority; everyone stands with her. However, this complete lack of communication within the party must end. Everyone needs to reflect on this. New faces have been given opportunities in the executive committee and seem to believe everything runs on autopilot. Running an organisation is not that simple—it requires constant dialogue. The new inductees, as well as those currently managing the party, need to understand this. There is also a visible lack of communication among Sunetra Pawar, Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel. This is why the questions we raised remain unanswered," he claimed.
Legal notice challenges Sunetra Pawar's appointment
Meanwhile, in a major development, NCP National Secretary Sachchidanand Singh has legally challenged the validity of the organisational elections that elevated Sunetra Pawar to the post of National President.
On July 9, Singh served a legal notice to Sunetra Pawar, National Working President Praful Patel and National General Secretary Brijmohan Shrivastav, who also serves as the Nodal Officer to the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking to have the entire election process declared "illegal, non est (non-existent), and void".
According to the notice, after Ajit Pawar's demise, party records dated February 17, 2026, stated that Praful Patel would temporarily function as National President. However, Singh alleged that constitutional procedures were abandoned when Shrivastav, acting as General Secretary, independently passed a resolution on February 18 to convene a National Convention and initiate the process to elect a permanent president.
The dispute centres around the National Convention held on February 26, 2026, at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Mumbai, where Sunetra Pawar was declared the National President.
Singh's notice alleges multiple violations of the party constitution, claiming that only the constitutionally designated officiating president had the authority to convene the convention. It further alleged that the mandatory Central Election Authority was never constituted, no Returning Officer was appointed, and essential election procedures, including candidate nominations, publication of candidate lists, a withdrawal period and secret-ballot voting, were bypassed.
Singh also claimed that despite being a sitting National Secretary, he was neither informed about the election process nor given the opportunity to participate. Although he attended the Worli convention and raised objections, his concerns were allegedly ignored.
The notice further questioned the party's submissions to the Election Commission, alleging inconsistencies in communications sent on February 28 and March 10, 2026. It also challenged the revised list of office-bearers submitted on April 29, claiming it lacked approval from the National Delegates.
Through his legal notice, Singh has demanded that the party withdraw all communications submitted to the Election Commission, declare Sunetra Pawar's election and the revised office-bearers' list null and void, constitute an independent Central Election Authority, conduct fresh organisational elections in accordance with the party constitution, and provide certified copies of all relevant documents related to the election process.
He has given the party leadership 15 days to respond, failing which he has warned of further legal action before the courts and the Election Commission.
