Amid reported internal tensions, NCP chief Sunetra Pawar calls core committee meeting today

Nationalist Congress Party NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has convened an urgent meeting of the partyrsquos core committee at her official residence Devgiri on Wednesday amid reported tensions between senior leaders and younger membersThe meeting comes after the core committeersquos first meeting on Monday following a delegation of senior NCP leadersrsquo meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday The leaders reportedly raised concerns over the alleged unilateral functioning of NCP MP Parth Pawar and their exclusion from key decisionsThe Wednesday meeting is also significant after party legislators and ministers voiced concerns on Tuesday over internal differences saying the lack of unity was weakening the organisation and leaving grassroots workers uncertain about the leadershiprsquos directionCore committee to discuss party organisationSources told IANS that the core committee is expected to discuss visits by ministers legislators and MPs to droughthit areas along with steps to activate the partyrsquos organisational strengthening programmeAt Tuesdayrsquos meeting at Sunetra Pawarrsquos official residence several leaders reportedly raised concerns about internal friction and its impact on the partyrsquos public standing National Working President Praful Patel state president Sunil Tatkare senior leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil along with more than 20 MLAs attended the meetingTatkare asked legislators to visit droughtaffected areas assess farmersrsquo grievances and work to secure government assistanceMLAs raise concerns over unity and portfoliosMinister Makarand Patil and legislators Anil Bhaidas Patil and Sangram Jagtap reportedly raised questions about the internal differences among senior leaders They said the party was becoming weaker without a visible show of unity reported IANSAnil Bhaidas Patil also called for efforts to reclaim the Finance portfolio which was held by the NCP before the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar The portfolio is currently with the BJP according to the reportSeveral MLAs also complained about alliance partners in the ruling Mahayuti coalition A majority of legislators including Sunil Shelke reportedly said constituencylevel proposals were not being processed or approved by departments overseen by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath ShindeMakarand Patil alleged BJP dominance and said the party had weakened its allies He cited the Satara Zilla Parishad elections claiming the BJP had bypassed the NCP and Shiv Sena He said the two parties consequently joined forces against the BJP in the recently concluded Satara District Central Cooperative Bank electionsLeaders flag concerns over local development workMLA Saroj Ahire alleged that the BJP and Nashik district administration were not keeping her informed about projects related to the Sinhasth Kumbh Mela MLA Hiraman Khosksar warned that unequal allocation of funds could affect the NCPrsquos prospects in the 2029 Assembly electionsThe report said legislators questioned the party leadership about the ongoing internal conflict after senior leaders encouraged them to share their concerns openlyAmit Shah reportedly urged NCP leaders to address differencesAt Mondayrsquos core committee meeting senior leaders briefed Sunetra Pawar about their discussion with Shah The delegation reportedly conveyed that the BJP leadership was concerned about the NCPrsquos organisational condition and had urged corrective stepsSources told IANS that the lack of collective leadership was among the key issues discussed One party leader privy to the meeting said ldquoWhile the issue of lack of collective leadership within the party was discussed it was told to them that the NCP leaders need to ensure smooth functioning of the partyrdquoldquoThese leaders were told that the problems within the NCP organisation are not harming them only but being in Mahayuti it is affecting the ruling alliance as a whole If these issues are not resolved then the alliance will face problemsrdquo the source told IANSThe NCP however denied that the meeting with Shah reflected internal differences National spokesperson Umesh Patil said it was arranged after Sunetra Pawar had previously informed the Home Minister that a delegation of senior party leaders would meet himIt is highly unfortunate that unnecessary political colour is being given to the Wednesday meeting in Delhi between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party attempting to fabricate a narrative of internal party differences Patil saidHe alleged that ldquocertain unseen forcesrdquo were attempting to create an artificial narrative of leadership differences and a lack of coordination within the partyWith inputs from IANS