The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is facing an internal legal challenge after party National Secretary Sachchidanand Singh questioned the validity of the organisational election that resulted in Sunetra Ajit Pawar being appointed as the party’s National President. Singh has issued a legal notice to senior NCP leaders, demanding that the election process be declared invalid and fresh organisational polls be conducted.

The notice, issued on July 9, was addressed to NCP National President Sunetra Ajit Pawar, National Working President Praful Patel, and National General Secretary Brijmohan Shrivastav, who also serves as the party’s nodal officer for communication with the Election Commission of India (ECI). Singh has alleged that the process followed for appointing the new president violated the party’s internal constitution and procedures.

The dispute comes after the death of former NCP leader Ajit Pawar earlier this year, following which internal arrangements were reportedly made regarding the party’s leadership. According to Singh, party records dated February 17, 2026, indicated that Praful Patel would temporarily function as the National President. However, he alleged that the subsequent process to appoint a permanent president was initiated without following the required constitutional procedures.

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Singh has specifically challenged the National Convention held on February 26, 2026, at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Worli, Mumbai, where Sunetra Pawar was declared the party’s National President. In his legal notice, he claimed that the convention and election process bypassed mandatory requirements, including the formation of an independent Central Election Authority, appointment of a Returning Officer, publication of an election schedule, candidate nominations, and voting through secret ballot.

The NCP National Secretary has also raised objections over the party’s communications submitted to the Election Commission, alleging inconsistencies in documents filed on February 28, March 10, and April 29 regarding the organisational changes. He claimed that a revised list of office-bearers was submitted without proper approval from national delegates, making the process legally questionable.

Singh has given the party leadership 15 days to respond to his demands, which include withdrawing related submissions before the Election Commission, declaring Sunetra Pawar’s appointment and the revised office-bearer list void, and conducting fresh organisational elections according to the party constitution. He has warned that further legal action may be initiated if the demands are not addressed, potentially leading to a broader dispute before courts and election authorities.

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