25 March,2026 03:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rohit Pawar. File Photo
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Wednesday made serious allegations against senior NCP leaders, claiming there was a "premeditated plan" to take control of the party following the death of Ajit Pawar earlier this year, reported news agency PTI.
Addressing a press conference, Rohit Pawar alleged that Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare had written to the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming that the party constitution had been amended to transfer sweeping powers to the working president, reported PTI.
Rohit Pawar claimed that within weeks of Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash on January 28, Patel, Tatkare, and another leader communicated with the ECI stating that, in the absence of a national president, all powers would vest with the working president, reported PTI.
He alleged that these claims were false and were made without informing key family members, including Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar and son Parth Pawar.
According to Rohit Pawar, after taking charge as NCP president, Sunetra Pawar wrote to the ECI requesting that any correspondence sent during the transition period - between Ajit Pawar's death and her appointment - be disregarded.
He claimed that documents dated February 16 and March 10 effectively attempted to concentrate all decision-making powers with the working president, raising concerns over internal party processes, reported PTI.
Rohit Pawar also termed as "suspicious" statements made by Union minister Piyush Goyal regarding leadership changes in the party, alleging that there may have been coordinated efforts to influence control of the NCP, reported PTI.
He further claimed that certain political leaders exerted pressure to stall a proposed press conference by Ajit Pawar's younger son, Jay Pawar.
The MLA also linked the controversy to the ongoing investigation into the January 28 plane crash, reiterating his demand for a criminal probe into the incident.
He alleged that there were attempts to protect the company operating the aircraft involved in the crash and questioned continued financial dealings with the firm even after the tragedy, reported PTI.
Rohit Pawar said that following advice from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he filed a Zero FIR in Bengaluru after being unable to register a case in Maharashtra.
A Zero FIR allows a complaint to be registered in any jurisdiction and later transferred to the relevant police station for investigation.
Without naming individuals, he also alleged that instructions were issued to avoid raising the issue of Ajit Pawar's death during the legislature session, leading to silence among several MLAs.
Raising broader concerns, Rohit Pawar questioned whether the sequence of events - including alleged internal communications and developments surrounding the crash - pointed to a larger conspiracy.
He called for a thorough and independent investigation to establish the facts, stating that the truth behind the incident must be brought to light.
The allegations have added a new dimension to the political discourse in Maharashtra, with potential implications for both party dynamics and the ongoing investigation into the high-profile crash.
(With inputs from PTI)
