Tatkare Dismisses Speculation Over Prashant Kishor's Role in NCP
NCP state president Sunil Tatkare dismissed reports that Prashant Kishor had been appointed the party's political adviser, describing his meeting with Sunetra and Parth Pawar as a courtesy visit.
NCP state president Sunil Tatkare on Friday said political strategist Prashant Kishor met Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar in Mumbai on Thursday, but dismissed speculation that he had been appointed as the party's political adviser. Describing the meeting as a courtesy call, Mr. Tatkare denied reports of any formal role for Mr. Kishor in the Nationalist Congress Party.
“I am not aware of Prashant Kishor working for the Nationalist Congress Party. If there had been an official appointment, I would have definitely known about it,” Mr. Tatkare said.
The meeting between Mr. Kishor and the Pawars has triggered speculation over possible organisational changes in the NCP. According to some reports, Mr. Kishor advised Parth and Sunetra Pawar to revamp the party’s Maharashtra leadership. Mr. Tatkare is the NCP’s state president.
However, Mr. Tatkare denied that any political discussions took place during the meeting, reiterating that it was merely a courtesy visit.
Taking a swipe at Mr. Kishor, Mr. Tatkare said the NCP does not rely on election surveys and reaffirmed that the party would remain part of the BJP-led NDA.
“All of us in the NCP are people who work on the ground. I have never conducted an election survey in my life. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, everyone projected that we would lose the Raigad seat. However, I don’t need such strategists or such surveys because I am a person who works on the ground,” he said.
Mr. Tatkare is the NCP’s lone Lok Sabha MP and represents the Raigad constituency.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule advised Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar not to take any step that could destabilise the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
“This is an internal matter of their party. However, while remaining part of the Mahayuti alliance, no step should be taken that could create suspicion among alliance partners or harm any party. Everyone must adhere to the Mahayuti’s code of conduct,” Mr. Bawankule said.
