Despite an ongoing inquiry against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Minister Dhananjay Munde, NCP leader Ajit Pawar has included him in the core group of the party. This newly formed core group, aimed at organizational development and strategic decision-making, will oversee the planning and implementation of public welfare schemes for the party. Interestingly, veteran leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who had expressed dissatisfaction with his exclusion from the cabinet, has also been added to the core group.
Munde, who faces allegations related to his close aide Walmik Karad’s involvement in the murder of the Massajog village sarpanch in Beed, continues to be at the center of controversy. Additionally, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas and Anjali Damania have also linked Munde to land-grabbing and corruption issues in Beed. Three inquiry committees have been set up to investigate the allegations against Munde. However, Ajit Pawar, who serves as Deputy Chief Minister and NCP Chief, has been offering his full backing to Munde, stating that no action will be taken until the inquiry is complete.
Recently, Ajit Pawar visited Beed district, where he held DPDC meetings and NCP office bearers' discussions, with Munde present alongside him. This further emphasized Pawar's stance of supporting Munde amidst the ongoing investigation.
In another development, Chhagan Bhujbal, a senior leader who had expressed his disappointment over his exclusion from the cabinet, has now been brought into the core group. Bhujbal had publicly voiced his discontent with Pawar, but following a recent conversation with him, Pawar assured that they would meet soon for further discussions. The inclusion of Bhujbal is seen as part of efforts to strengthen the party's organizational structure.
The core group, now comprising Ajit Pawar, NCP working president Praful Patel, senior leaders Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Hassan Mushrif, and Dhananjay Munde, is tasked with restructuring the party and preparing for the upcoming local body elections. Notably, Munde and Mushrif are serving as ministers in the BJP-led Mahayuti government, while Bhujbal and Walse Patil were part of the previous Eknath Shinde-led cabinet.
NCP President Sunil Tatkare confirmed that the group’s primary focus will be on party restructuring and strategic planning for the upcoming elections.
