MUMBAI: The Sunetra Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is gripped by intense internal friction, with veteran leaders voicing their discontent over the rising influence of her elder son, Parth Pawar — notably his endeavours to consolidate control over the party’s organisation by handpicking loyalists for key positions.
He made another attempt in June of that year when another Rajya Sabha seat fell vacant, but the party eventually nominated Nitin Patil from Satara. He was subsequently inducted into the party’s National Committee — its highest decision-making body — and appointed national general secretary and coordinator, positions that placed him at the centre of the party’s organisational strategy and coordination among its various units. “He was managing the family’s many businesses as his father was a full-time politician. However, Parth’s political journey has not been without controversy. However, the Economic Offences Wing, in its chargesheet in the case, did not name Parth.
Subsequently, he made two attempts for a Rajya Sabha nomination in 2024 – the first in February, when a seat fell vacant following the resignation of NCP working president Praful Patel, but he withdrew when his father Ajit Pawar decided to nominate Sunetra instead. He made himself scarce thereafter, only to come into the spotlight after his father’s death on January 28, 2026, rapidly moving into key organisational positions. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha on the same day his mother was unanimously elected as the NCP’s national president on February 25. Last year, his name figured in the controversy surrounding a 40-acre prime government-owned plot in Pune’s Mundhwa area, which was transferred to Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which he is a majority partner. The subsequent waiver of stamp duty charges amounting to around ₹ 21 crore triggered further allegations and political backlash.
“His rapid rise was perceived within the organisation as a conscious effort to consolidate decision-making within the Pawar family, a perception that has only strengthened following the latest developments,” an NCP insider said. Now that Ajit Dada is no more and his mother needs him the most, he has decided to shoulder the responsibility,” said a close Parth aide.
