NCP Leader Challenges Sunetra Pawar’s Election As Party President, Demands Fresh Polls
NCP Leader Challenges Sunetra Pawar’s Election As Party President, Demands Fresh Polls
Mumbai, July 14, 2026: The election of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been challenged by a senior party functionary, who has issued a legal notice seeking fresh organisational elections.
The notice, sent on July 9 by Delhi-based law firm ARS Associates on behalf of NCP National Secretary Sachchidanand Singh, alleges that the party’s presidential election held on February 26, 2026, violated the provisions of the party constitution and should be declared invalid.
The legal notice has been addressed to Sunetra Pawar, NCP Working President Prafull Patel, and General Secretary Brijmohan Shrivastav.
According to the notice, the election process was initiated without following the mandatory procedures laid down in the party constitution. It alleges that delegates and office-bearers were not given proper notice of the election, nor were they provided an opportunity to nominate candidates, contest the election, or participate in a formal voting process.
The notice further states that following the death of former NCP President Ajit Pawar on January 28, 2026, the party had informed the Election Commission that Prafull Patel would serve as the acting national president until a new chief was elected.
It also questions the authority of General Secretary Brijmohan Shrivastav to convene the party’s national convention and initiate the election process, alleging that he lacked the constitutional powers to do so.
Additionally, the notice claims that the party failed to appoint a duly constituted central election authority, returning officer, or election schedule, as required under its constitution.
Sachchidanand Singh has demanded that the party withdraw communications sent to the Election Commission of India on February 28, March 10, and April 29, which recorded the election of Sunetra Pawar and other office-bearers. He has also sought fresh organisational elections to be conducted under an independent election authority.
The notice gives the party leadership 15 days to respond and comply with the demands, failing which Singh has indicated he may initiate legal proceedings.
Responding to the allegations, NCP spokesperson Suraj Chavan rejected the claims, stating that Singh was present at the party’s national convention on February 26 and had supported Sunetra Pawar’s election by raising his hand during the proceedings.
Chavan maintained that the election was conducted in accordance with the party’s rules and that all required procedures were followed.
