Maharashtra politics: Shashikant Shinde appointment shakes up Sharad Pawar-led NCP top brass

Former Maharashtra minister and MLC Shashikant Shinde on Tuesday was selected to lead the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) state unit as party president.

Shinde, a long-time Sharad Pawar loyalist from the Satara district, will be replacing Jayant Patil, who was also a former minister.

Pawar made the announcement at the party's general body meeting in Mumbai, speculations of Patil's switch to the BJP or the Ajit Pawar group.

The grassroots leader from the Satara district emphasised that he would continue to work "under the guidance of Pawar Saheb as he has been for the last 25 years".

He also told party cadres that he would take up all issues related to the poor and the commonfolk, and work tirelessly for the party's expansion.

"I will walk the path shown by the late R. R. Patil, who came from a very humble background, and became the star leader of the party," Shinde added.

In a speech at the NCP's 26th Foundation Day event in Pune on June 10, Patil—in Pawar's presence—had hinted at stepping down from his post to make way for a younger face.

Patil has been with Pawar since the formation of the NCP in 1999, and sided with Pawar after the latter's nephew Ajit Pawar (now deputy CM) rebelled in 2023 and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena ruling coalition.

Addressing the meeting on Tuesday, Patil, who helmed the state NCP unit for seven years, thanked Pawar for giving him the opportunity and spoke about the party's work during his tenure, after having dismissed speculations about his exit just last week. He also said that he would continue to work for the party.

 "I have not contacted any leader in the BJP, nor has anyone asked me to join (BJP)," Patil had said, as per a PTI report.

India