Sunetra Pawar-Led NCP Headed For Another Split? Buzz Grows After Prashant Kishor Meeting

Sunetra Pawar-Led NCP Headed For Another Split? Buzz Grows After Prashant Kishor Meeting Published By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 17:34 IST NCP faces fresh turmoil as Rohit Pawar alleges 22 MLAs plan to join BJP under Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar. (File photo) NCP Spilt Buzz: Sunetra Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party appears to head for another round of turbulence with allegations of internal rebellion, speculation over defections and strategic meetings adding to uncertainty inside the party months after the death of Ajit Pawar. The latest political storm erupted after NCP (SCP) leader and Ajit Pawar’s nephew Rohit Pawar claimed last week that 22 NCP MLAs were mentally prepared to leave the party and join the BJP under the leadership of senior leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. He alleged that some MLAs were waiting for the right political timing as switching sides immediately would require resignations and fresh elections. “There are a few MLAs in NCP who are keen to join the NCP (SP) because we are fighting against the BJP," Rohit Pawar had said. Meanwhile, Tatkare rejected the claims and accused Rohit Pawar of making irresponsible statements. “We are part of the NDA and working to strengthen our party," Tatkare said, while also alleging that Rohit himself had earlier shown interest in joining the BJP. The rumour further got fuelled by recent organisational changes introduced by Sunetra Pawar. Several younger leaders have been within the party structure, while questions were raised after Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare’s names were initially missing from a party communication submitted to the Election Commission. Sunetra Pawar later described the omission as a “typing error" and said both leaders remained important members of the NCP. Speculations of unrest further got intensified after Sunetra Pawar reportedly held a closed-door meeting in Mumbai with election strategist Prashant Kishor. Her son and Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar was also present during the nearly two-hour discussion. The meeting triggered debate within political circles and the ruling Mahayuti alliance, as Kishor is not considered close to the BJP leadership. According to sources, discussions reportedly included strategies to strengthen the NCP organisation in Maharashtra. However, Parth Pawar later downplayed the meeting, calling it a friendly lunch interaction. “Prashant ji is a friend and like a brother. He is known to us since Dada’s time," Parth Pawar said on X, adding that he did not expect Kishor to formally work with the party. Meanwhile, the rival NCP faction (SCP) clarified that merger talks between the two factions were no longer under consideration following Ajit Pawar’s death. State NCP (SP) chief Shashikant Shinde said the party would continue to function independently and strengthen its organisation. Ajit Pawar had split the undivided NCP in July 2023 by leading 41 MLAs into the BJP-Shiv Sena-led Mahayuti alliance. Following his death in a plane crash in Baramati in January this year, Sunetra Pawar took over the party leadership and later became Deputy Chief Minister. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 20, 2026, 17:30 IST News india Sunetra Pawar-Led NCP Headed For Another Split? Buzz Grows After Prashant Kishor Meeting Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...