NCP leader challenges Sunetra Pawar’s decision to appoint a new national chief spokesperson

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. File | Photo Credit: ANI

On a day when NCP leader Praful Patel called for introspection within the party, another leader challenged Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s decision to appoint Umesh Patil as the national chief spokesperson of the party. “This decision is against the Constitution of the party. It contravenes the proposals passed by the party in the Karjat national convention where I was appointed the chief national spokesperson till November 30, 2028,” Brijmohan Shrivastav said on Wednesday (October 28, 2026).

Appealing to Sunetra Pawar to withdraw the appointment, he said she should adhere to the party’s Constitution and the national convention resolution.

He said that the preconditions to make such appointments were not fulfilled by the national president. “No such proposal has been moved in the party’s convention. No notice was issued for such an appointment,” he said.

He claimed that the previously raised queries about her appointment as the national president were still unresolved.

The developments came hours after the party announced two new appointments on Wednesday morning (October 28, 2026). The party appointed Solapur district president Umesh Patil as its national chief spokesperson and MLA Zeeshan Siddique as the party’s Mumbai president.

NCP national president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar announced the appointments. The appointment letters were handed over to the two leaders at the official residence, Devgiri, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and MP Parth Ajit Pawar. Other party leaders and office-bearers were also present.

“The national president has full rights to make appointments. It is her prerogative. This is not a government post with a specific tenure. In a party set-up, appointments are made as per the leadership’s call. There is no reason to pay attention to the notice sent by this gentleman,” Umesh Patil told The Hindu.

Published - October 29, 2026 03:10 am IST