Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 1: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Praful Patel on Sunday strongly denied media reports claiming that he had been appointed the party president following the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, terming the speculation as completely baseless.

Clarifying the matter in a post on X, Patel said no such decision had been taken by the party. “I have noted a few reports circulating in the media regarding my appointment as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party. I wish to state with absolute clarity that these reports are totally baseless and lack any truth,” he stated.

Patel emphasised that the NCP functions through a democratic process and that any major leadership decision would only be taken after extensive consultations. “The Nationalist Congress Party is a democratic institution. A decision of this magnitude will only be made by consulting our senior leadership and MLAs, engaging with our dedicated party office-bearers, and respecting the sentiments and collective will of all our party members. Being a national party, we follow the established process in these matters,” he added.

His clarification comes amid intense political speculation over a possible merger between the NCP and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction following Ajit Pawar’s death. On Saturday, Ajit Pawar’s widow and Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar took oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister after being chosen as the Legislative Party Leader, filling the vacancy created by her husband’s passing.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also dismissed rumours of a merger between the two factions. Reacting to media queries, he said, “This is all going on your side (media), there is nothing like that here,” rejecting suggestions of any realignment or potential tie-up with the NDA.