Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief SunetraPawar faces a test after her leadership came under question, with senior leader and NCP national secretary Sachchidanand Singh challenging her election as the party president.
In a legal notice issued on July 9th via Delhi-based law firm ARS Associates, Singh claimed that the presidential election carried out after AjitPawar’s death, elevating Sunetra to the post of party chief, was not conducted according to the prescribed procedure. He argued that the necessary provisions in the party constitution were not followed in the election, and neither the party representatives nor the office-bearers were properly informed about the election process.
Singh said that after AjitPawar’s death on January 28, the party informed the Election Commission that Praful Patel would play the role of acting national president till the election of a new president. However, NCP national spokesperson and general secretary Brijmohan Srivastava called the national convention the next day without constitutional authority and started the election process. Singh alleged that the authority to convene a national convention and initiate the presidential election process rested only with the authorised acting president, not the general secretary.
The legal notice claims that neither a Central Election Authority was formed, nor an Election Officer was appointed. An election schedule was also not issued as required by the party constitution. Delegates were not given adequate opportunity to nominate candidates, contest elections, or vote.
Singh demanded the Election Commission withdraw old letters dated February 28, March 10, and April 29, which detailed elections and the new office bearers. A fresh organisational election should be held under the supervision of an independent election authority, the notice demands, and gives the party leadership 15 days to act on the demands. Failure to do so will be met with legal action, he claimed.
Besides Sunetra, the letter also names NCP national executive president Praful Patel and general secretary BrijmohanShrivastava as respondents. Questions have also been raised about ParthPawar.
However, NCP spokesperson SurajChavan denied the allegations, stating that Singh was present at the national convention on February 26th and had voted in favour of SunetraPawar by raising his hand. Chavan claimed that the presidential election was conducted in accordance with due process and rules.
The current crisis has triggered discussions on whether the NCP, like the Shiv Sena, could split. While the focus now is on how the party leadership will handle the crisis amid the questions about the party’s organisational future, Praful Patel’s statement about taking “corrective steps” has triggered speculations. Stating that it was difficult to fill the void left by AjitPawar, Patel said the party will have to take ‘corrective steps’ to remain relevant in Maharashtra and national politics.
