| 10 June 2023
Mumbai, June 8, 2023 - In a significant development within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Supriya Sule and Praful Patel have been declared as working presidents, alongside Sharad Pawar, the party's supremo. The announcement came during the 25th-anniversary celebration of the NCP, a party founded by Pawar and P.A. Sangma in 1999.
Supriya Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar, has also been appointed as the chief of NCP's central election committee. Her responsibilities will include overseeing the party's activities in Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Women Youth, and Lok Sabha Coordination. Meanwhile, Praful Patel will be responsible for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Goa. The decision was made in the presence of Ajit Pawar, a prominent figure within the NCP. Sunil Tatkare, the NCP National General Secretary, has been given the responsibility of handling Odisha, West Bengal, farmers, and minority affairs. Furthermore, Sharad Pawar announced Nanda Shastri as the Delhi NCP chief.
Following the announcement, Supriya Sule expressed her gratitude to the party and affirmed her determination to fulfill the trust placed in her. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, "I and Prafulbhai Patel were elected as working presidents in a program organized on the occasion of NCP's anniversary. I am deeply grateful to the party organization for this. I am determined to justify the trust reposed in me by the party. It is believed that NCP leaders, functionaries, workers, and well-wishers have received good support in the past and it will continue in the future. Thank you once again to respected Pawar Sahib, office bearers, senior leaders, and activists for this responsibility." Her statement garnered fervent support from party members and political leaders alike.
It is noteworthy that Sharad Pawar had initially tendered his resignation as the national president, but he later withdrew it due to emotional protests and demands from party workers. A panel formed to discuss Pawar's resignation had rejected it on May 5, urging him to continue leading the party. He subsequently retracted his decision, stating, "I can't disrespect your sentiments. Due to your love, I am respecting the demand that was made to me to withdraw my resignation and the resolution that was passed by senior NCP leaders. I withdraw my decision to step down as the national president of the NCP."
Although Sharad Pawar's nephew, Ajit Pawar, has not been assigned any responsibilities, sources indicate that he is not upset with the recent appointments and is committed to working for the betterment of Maharashtra. Congratulating Supriya Sule and Praful Patel on their election as working presidents, Ajit Pawar said, "Maharashtra in the heart, eyes in front of the nation," emphasizing his intention to contribute to the state's and the country's development. He also congratulated other party members who were given important responsibilities within the NCP, emphasizing their collective efforts toward the party's goals.
Earlier, there were speculations about Ajit Pawar potentially defecting from the NCP to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after he skipped key party meetings. However, he later clarified that he has no plans to join the saffron camp, dispelling the rumors.
With the appointment of Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as working presidents, the NCP aims to strengthen its leadership and further its political agenda. As the party enters its silver jubilee year, all eyes are on its dynamic new team and their contributions to the party's growth, as well as their impact on the political landscape of Maharashtra and beyond
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