Four months following the tragic passing of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are set to commemorate the party’s foundation day on June 10 with separate ceremonies in Mumbai.
On Friday, Sunil Tatkare, the state president of the NCP and a Member of Parliament, revealed that the party will host its 27th Foundation Day event at Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai at 2 PM.
Conversely, the faction led by Sharad Pawar, known as NCP-SP, will conduct its own foundation day function at the Y B Chavan Centre in Mumbai at 10 AM, under the theme “Loyalty to Ideology, Dedication to People.” Supriya Sule, the national working president of the NCP-SP and Lok Sabha MP, confirmed that this faction will not only celebrate its foundation day on June 10 but will also participate in a meeting of the INDIA coalition on June 8. The original NCP was established by Sharad Pawar on June 10, 1999, during a public rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Despite the party’s split in 2023, both factions continue to recognize this date as their foundation day.
This year’s observance is particularly poignant as it follows the death of Ajit Pawar in an aircraft accident on January 28. In the weeks prior to this tragedy, leaders from both factions had been in discussions regarding a potential merger, a plan that has now been abandoned as both sides opted not to pursue a reunification.
During a press conference on Friday, Tatkare highlighted Ajit Pawar’s relentless efforts to enhance the party’s grassroots presence across Maharashtra. He mentioned that under Ajit’s guidance, the NCP became the largest party in the 2004 Assembly elections, securing 73 seats.
Tatkare reminisced that in 2023, driven by the vision of the late Deputy Prime Minister Yashwantrao Chavan, the party decided under Ajit’s leadership to join the BJP-led NDA alliance, believing that meaningful welfare for the masses could only be achieved through governance participation. He acknowledged that while the party’s performance in the Lok Sabha elections did not meet expectations, it excelled in the Assembly elections by contesting 59 seats and winning 41, all under Ajit Pawar’s leadership.
He indicated that this year’s celebrations by the faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar would focus on themes of “Dedication” (paying tribute to Ajit Pawar), “Struggle” (highlighting the party’s political journey), and “Resolve” (outlining future goals). Tatkare encouraged party members and leaders to attend the Foundation Day event in large numbers to reinforce the organization, broaden its influence, and embark on the next phase of activities with renewed vigor and commitment.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau, known for his focused and authoritative coverage of governance, political developments, and the socio-economic landscape of Maharashtra’s rural areas. His unique academic credentials in Geology, along with his initial experience in the water sector, provide a specialized perspective in his reporting on environmental and resource issues.
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
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- Local and Urban Governance: Coverage of key announcements regarding urban development initiatives and local elections, including political defections and alliance divisions.
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- Academic Specialization: Holds a postgraduate degree in Geology, providing him with a foundational understanding of natural resources, which informs his reporting on environmental matters.
- Early Professional Experience: Transitioned to journalism after working with an NGO in the water sector, enhancing his expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development.
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Alok Deshpande’s combination of scientific education, non-profit experience, and in-depth political reporting positions him as a highly trusted voice on governance and the realities faced by the people of Maharashtra.
