Seven NCP leaders meet Amit Shah in Delhi; Sunetra Pawar not present

Several senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) travelled to Delhi and met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. A photograph of the meeting went viral, setting off fresh discussion in state politics.

Those who met Shah in New Delhi included Sunil Tatkare, Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Sameer Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde, Hasan Mushrif and Dilip Walse Patil. With so many key party leaders approaching Shah together, there is speculation about the reason for the meeting.

The party's national president, Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar were not present. Since the senior leaders met Shah without the national president in the room, questions are being raised in political circles over whether a different equation is taking shape at the level of the party's leadership.

The Legislative Council election is another reason for the talk. The NCP's Ajit Pawar faction did not meet with success in the election, and there is now talk of infighting within the party. There is also talk of the leadership being questioned again.

After the setback in the election, Praful Patel had put out his position on social media. He had said the party needed to introspect. That statement had also started talk of discontent in the party. For this reason, the meeting is not being seen as a mere courtesy call.

NCP spokesperson Umesh Pawar has clarified. According to him, the meeting had been scheduled in advance and was arranged to discuss some issues from Ajit Pawar's time and some important questions concerning the state.

Umesh Pawar also spoke about Sunetra Pawar's absence. He said she had already told Amit Shah that a delegation of senior party leaders would meet him, and had also requested him to give them time. According to Umesh Pawar, the NCP leaders' meeting took place on Sunetra Pawar's instructions.

According to sources, the meeting with Shah discussed the drought-like situation in the state. A memorandum on the subject was reportedly also submitted. All of Maharashtra is now watching what happens in state politics after this meeting.