Jalna NCP Leader Files ECI Complaint Against Sunil Tatkare's Re-Election
Bhausaheb Gore, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) office-bearer from Jalna, has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India in Mumbai challenging the re-election of Sunil Tatkare as the party's Maharashtra state president. Gore urged the ECI to declare the reappointment invalid, claiming it violated provisions of the party's constitution.
According to Gore, the election process lacked standard procedures. He stated that no official election programme was announced, no dates were declared for filing or withdrawing nominations, and no returning officer was appointed. Gore highlighted that Tatkare secured his re-election well before his existing three-year term was scheduled to end in July 2026, bypassing procedures expected by party workers loyal to Ajit Pawar.
Tatkare was re-elected to the state post on February 26, alongside Sunetra Pawar, who was elected as the party's national president, and Praful Patel, who was chosen as national working president.
A leader close to Tatkare denied any constitutional violations regarding the appointment. The leader clarified that Tatkare was elected during a national convention convened under unusual circumstances following the death of NCP president Ajit Pawar.
The complaint highlights growing internal friction within the NCP, an ally of the BJP in Maharashtra and at the Centre. Gore's action comes weeks after another office-bearer, Sachchidanand Singh, approached the ECI challenging Sunetra Pawar's election on similar grounds.
Opposition to Tatkare's leadership had previously surfaced after reports emerged that poll strategist Prashant Kishor suggested replacing him with a new face. Following those reports, leaders including Rupali Thombre-Patil had openly demanded Tatkare's resignation.
Adding to the organizational controversy, Sunetra Pawar introduced several changes after taking charge, including omitting Tatkare's and Patel's official designations from the national Working Committee. While Pawar later described the omissions as inadvertent, the designations were not subsequently rectified.
