Following the elevation of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar to the role of national president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a senior party figure has filed a legal notice questioning the validity of the February 26, 2026 election. The dispute centers on alleged procedural breaches of the party constitution, prompting a demand for a fresh, independently supervised poll.

Internal Constitutional Dispute

National secretary and Jharkhand state president Sachchidanand Singh dispatched the notice on July 9 through his counsel to Sunetra Pawar, executive president Praful Patel, and party secretary Brijmohan Srivastava. Singh argues that the election was not conducted in accordance with the NCP’s constitutional provisions and therefore must be declared void, with a new election overseen by an impartial officer.

Amendments After Ajit Pawar’s Demise

After the sudden death of Ajit Pawar on January 28, 2026, the NCP submitted a revised constitution to the Election Commission on February 17, 2026. The amendment vested the then‑working president, Praful Patel, with the powers of the national president until a successor could be elected. Singh contends that only Patel was authorized to convene the national executive meeting that elected Sunetra Pawar, raising doubts over why Brijmohan Srivastava called the February 26 meeting.

Potential Political Ramifications

If the court upholds Singh’s challenge, the NCP could face a renewed leadership battle. Sunetra Pawar, who stepped into a prominent role after her husband’s death, may be forced to defend her mandate through another election. The outcome could reverberate across Maharashtra politics, where the NCP already juggles coalition dynamics with the Congress and BJP.

To date, neither Sunetra Pawar, Praful Patel nor other senior leaders have publicly responded to the notice, leaving the party’s internal cohesion and public perception hanging in the balance.