NCP Rocked by Internal Strife Over Finance Ministry and BJP Demands

Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance is showing deep cracks as the NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar battles the BJP over control of the Finance Ministry. The BJP, senior partner in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, has told Sunetra Pawar she must travel to Delhi and personally meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to pursue her claim. Currently, Fadnavis holds the Finance Ministry — a portfolio previously headed by her late husband, Ajit Pawar.

Party Leaders Cry Betrayal

The BJP’s condition has triggered sharp anger within the NCP. At an internal meeting held Tuesday at the ‘Devgiri’ bungalow, party leaders openly criticised the BJP, calling its stance a “betrayal.” Sunetra Pawar herself acknowledged receiving no positive response from Fadnavis despite direct conversations on the matter. Senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal went further, urging the party to prepare independently for all 288 state assembly seats in 2029, warning that relying on BJP may prove costly.

Bhujbal also raised red flags over Maharashtra’s ongoing Special In-depth Revision of electoral rolls, alleging it was designed to systematically erode the NCP’s traditional vote base in favour of the BJP.

Tatkare-Parth Pawar Rift Deepens

The meeting took a dramatic turn when Sunetra Pawar’s son Parth Pawar walked out the moment senior leader Sunil Tatkare began speaking. Tatkare, visibly upset, questioned why he and Praful Patel — credited with keeping the party intact after Ajit Pawar’s death — were repeatedly targeted without any defence from senior leadership. Notably, Praful Patel skipped the meeting entirely despite being in Mumbai, signalling a widening rift at the very top of the party.