The Nationalist Congress Party (SP), following its setback in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, is set to hold its first major state-wide meeting on January 8 and 9. This gathering has been called to address the party’s organizational structure, and a redistribution of responsibilities is expected to be discussed. New faces are likely to be assigned prominent roles, but significant changes at the state leadership level have been ruled out, according to party insiders.
The focus of the meeting is said to be the preparation for the upcoming local body elections. Strategic realignments within the party are expected to be planned, with the aim of strengthening its presence in key areas. It has been reported that any changes implemented will be part of a broader effort to rebuild the party’s organizational framework. The leadership of Jayant Patil, who has headed the Maharashtra unit for over five years, is expected to remain unchanged. His decision to remain aligned with Sharad Pawar during the NCP’s split was noted, especially after Ajit Pawar and his faction chose to join hands with the BJP. Despite speculation about a possible shift in allegiance, it has been confirmed that Patil stood firm with Sharad Pawar and led the NCP-SP campaigns during both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Following the party’s poor performance in the Assembly polls, where only 10 seats were won, internal changes within the legislative team had already been made. Jitendra Awhad, a former minister and MLA, was appointed as the leader of the group in the Legislative Assembly. Rohit Patil, a first-time MLA, was given the role of chief whip, reflecting an effort to bring in younger leadership. Rohit Pawar, another prominent MLA, has so far not been assigned an organizational role despite demands from within the party. Speculation has been raised about his potential appointment to a key position soon, although no formal announcement has been made.
The upcoming meeting is being viewed as a crucial step in assessing the party’s current standing and preparing a roadmap for future elections. A thorough review of the organizational structure is expected to be conducted, and responsibilities may be allocated to new leaders for various departments and cells. The aim of these changes is believed to be a reinvigoration of the party’s base and a strategic focus on the civic body elections.
With these developments, the NCP (SP) is attempting to reposition itself within the state’s political landscape and recover from its recent electoral setback. Party insiders have emphasized that the deliberations at the meeting will play a pivotal role in shaping its future strategy.