Sunetra Pawar Set to Take Over as National President of NCP; Prafull Patel Clarifies Leadership

Mumbai, February 14, 2026: In a major development in Maharashtra politics, Sunetra Pawar is poised to assume the role of National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The announcement comes amid discussions about the potential merger of the two NCP factions. Prafull Patel, NCP Working President and a close aide of the late Ajit Pawar, clarified that Sunetra Pawar is the sole candidate for the post, dismissing earlier speculation about Patel himself taking over.

First Woman to Lead the Party

Sunetra Pawar, who became Deputy Chief Minister following Ajit Pawar’s untimely death in a plane crash on January 31, will now also lead the 26-year-old party as its first female National President. She is expected to formally take over the position within the next two weeks. As Deputy CM, she will continue to lead the legislative party while taking on her new responsibilities as party chief.

Political Background

The NCP was founded by Sharad Pawar after splitting from the Congress Party, with Sharad Pawar serving as the party’s first National President. After the NCP split in July 2024, Ajit Pawar had become National President. With Sunetra Pawar’s appointment, the party will now have a woman at its helm for the first time, signaling a new chapter in its leadership.

Focus on Organizational Strength Before Merger

Regarding the potential reunification of NCP factions, Prafull Patel stated that the party is prioritizing strengthening its organizational structure before any merger. Earlier speculation suggested that Patel himself might assume the leadership post, which he has now officially denied.

Experience and Leadership

Since taking over as Deputy Chief Minister, Sunetra Pawar has handled key administrative responsibilities, including overseeing Pune and Beed districts as guardian minister. She also visited Delhi recently, meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accompanied by senior party leaders Prafull Patel and Sunil Tatkare. Party insiders expressed unanimous support for her to assume the National President role, emphasizing continuity and stability following Ajit Pawar’s passing.

With her dual role as Deputy CM and National President, Sunetra Pawar is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the NCP’s future in Maharashtra politics.