Five legislators from Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction were noticeably absent from an important all-MLAs meeting held at a five-star hotel in Mumbai. According to sources cited by India Today, the meeting was called by Ajit Pawar to discuss the results of the recent Lok Sabha elections.
The missing MLAs ? Dharmarao Baba Atram, Narhari Zirwal, Sunil Tingre, Rajendra Shingane, and Anna Bansode ? have sparked worries about possible internal conflicts within the party. Reports suggest that some members are unhappy and may be in talks with Sharad Pawar's faction about returning to his side.
The discontent in Ajit Pawar's faction has grown, especially after a significant loss in Baramati, where his wife, Sunetra Pawar, was defeated by Supriya Sule. In the 2024 elections, Ajit Pawar's group contested four seats but won only one, in Raigad.
There have been earlier reports that 10 to 15 MLAs from Ajit Pawar's faction were communicating with Sharad Pawar's group. Jayant Patil, the state president of NCP (Sharad Pawar), confirmed that some leaders were in touch and that these discussions would be addressed at their meeting on June 9, ahead of their foundation day on June 10.
Patil did not mention any specific leaders or parties, but it seems likely that some NCP leaders from Ajit Pawar's side might switch sides. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar's faction has dismissed these rumors as 'fake news.'
Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar's group is pushing for Praful Patel to get a cabinet position in the union government. Insiders told the Hindustan Times that Patel might be appointed to the civil aviation ministry, a role he held from 2004 to 2011 during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Patel also served as the minister of heavy industries and public enterprises from 2011 to 2014. An anonymous NCP leader mentioned that having two cabinet positions would have been more advantageous for the party before the upcoming state assembly elections.
Praful Patel, an experienced politician, is currently a six-term Rajya Sabha MP and was recently elected unopposed for another six-year term. He has also been a four-term Lok Sabha MP.
