No undue interference, no support to divisive politics, says DCM Sunetra Pawar in her first foundation day address

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Thursday (June 11, 2026) told her party cadres that she will not tolerate undue interference and that she will take tough decisions like her husband late Ajit Pawar did, while also adding that her party will not support divisive politics. She was speaking at the 27th foundation day event of the Nationalist Congress Party at Mumbai’s Shanmukhananda Hall. This was the first foundation day celebration of the party after the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar in an air crash in Baramati in January this year.

Ms. Pawar said that the party remained committed to creating a harmonious social environment and was willing to make political adjustments for upholding it. She said the party will never support divisive politics in the name of castes and religions. “It is our commitment that all sections of society should feel secure. May it be the tribals, the backward classes, the minorities, the OBCs. All the communities should stay together with each other. There is no place in the party for divisive politics,” she said.

Issuing an intimation to the cadres against unruly and indisciplined behaviour, she said it was everyone’s responsibility to maintain the image of the party. She also warned them of strong and stern action. “Undue interference in the party will not be tolerated. Tough decisions, the way Dada used to take, will have to be taken. I will try to do that. I am sure that you all will understand that such decisions for the party’s welfare, will be supported by you all. You need to work with more vigilance. Please take care that I don’t have to take tough decisions,” she said.

Her statements assume significance on the background of the recent spate of open public criticism of the party by disgruntled elements. She also tried to pacify the cadres about the last minute inductions given to outsiders and political opportunities given to them. She said that the party will value all those who have contributed to take the organisation ahead and to build the party’s strength.

Cadres had travelled from different parts of the country to attend the 27th foundation day celebration, which was postponed by a day due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programme in New Delhi on June 10.

Videos about the role of NCP cadres at each booth level for the effective implementation of Special Intensive Revision were also shown a few times. The cadres were instructed again and again to ensure that the voters of NCP are enrolled properly during the SIR process. ‘My booth, my village’ campaign was launched for it.

“Delimitation will increase the number of seats, primarily in the urban areas. Everyone must work in a planned manner to strengthen the party in the urban and rural areas,” Ms. Pawar said. Praful Patel too talked about delimitation and its impact on the party.

NCP leader Sunil Tatkare justified and explained why the party joined the BJP in 2024, and insisted that the picture of the State would have been different, had the NCP staked claim to the Chief Minister’s position after the 2004 Assembly election results, when NCP had emerged as the single largest party.

The event saw the presence of all the party MLAs, MPs and local elected representatives. It also saw an exchange of barbs between senior leaders.