Mumbai, Aug 4: A letter issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has presented a crucial organisational test for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under the leadership of party president and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. ​The communication, dated July 27, raises concerns regarding internal organisational procedures, compliance with party protocols, and unanswered challenges to the party’s internal structure.

The regulatory review comes at a sensitive juncture, as the broader legal battle between rival factions — the NCP under Sunetra Pawar and the opposition faction led by Sharad Pawar — remains pending before the Supreme Court.

​The central focus of the ECI’s directive involves significant modifications made to key sections of the NCP constitution — specifically Articles 6, 7, 12, 18, 32, and 36. These provisions govern essential party operations, including membership rules and cadre enrollment procedures, ​structural organisation of state executive committees, disciplinary and suspension powers vested in leadership and management and utilisation of official party funds. ​

While official records from the party’s national convention on February 26 — during which Sunetra Pawar was elected national president following the passing of Ajit Pawar — reflect an amendment to Article 18(1), the ECI noted that formal resolutions and supporting documentation backing changes to the remaining articles were either missing or incomplete. ​

The regulatory review follows a formal challenge submitted to the poll panel by NCP National Secretary Sachidanand Singh, who raised objections regarding the election procedures and the validity of the constitutional amendments. ​

Although the ECI previously recognised the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the official NCP and allotted it the traditional ‘Clock’ symbol based on legislative majority, legal experts warn that procedural lapses could carry wider consequences. Any flaw in formalising the party presidency or validating its constitution could provide opposition factions and internal dissenters critical leverage in ongoing judicial proceedings before the Supreme Court. ​

“Failing to validate constitutional modifications through ratified resolutions could expose fundamental party decisions — such as candidate nominations, committee appointments, and financial allocations — to severe legal challenges,” said political observers. ​

In a video statement addressing the development, NCP chief spokesperson Umesh Patil downplayed the ECI’s communication, describing it as standard procedure between the electoral body and registered political parties. Patil asserted that the letter is a routine compliance check and that the party is preparing a detailed response. He dismissed reports of factional rift or internal friction, maintaining that the party hierarchy remains fully united.

​Political analysts view the ECI’s letter as an organisational discipline test for the NCP.

To safeguard its legal standing and secure Sunetra Pawar’s leadership framework, party insiders indicate the leadership is preparing a three-pronged strategy. This includes compiling and submitting a comprehensive resolution package covering every amended clause (Articles 6, 7, 12, 32, and 36) to satisfy the ECI’s regulatory checklist, engaging with dissenting office-bearers to resolve procedural grievances internally before they escalate into formal litigation and ensuring all internal governance records and transition protocols are legally airtight so as not to weaken the party’s standing in sub judice matters.

Mumbai: To protect Mumbai’s trees and maintain ecological balance, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken a tough stand against those violating tree protection regulations. Cases have been registered against two separate housing societies in the respective police stations for damaging trees and felling beyond the permitted limits. A non-cognizable offence has been registered against the officials and the developer of ‘Shetal Tapovan Housing Society Limited’ (located near Dindoshi Metro Station) at Karar police station for damaging trees outside their complex. Moreover, a case has been registered against ‘Kalpataru Aura Housing Society Limited’ in Ghatkopar (West) after it was found that trees were felled beyond the limits approved by the municipal corporation. Trees in Mumbai are important components of the city’s ecological balance. There will be no leniency towards any individual, organisation or developer who damages trees or violates the conditions of the permit in violation of the tree protection rules. Strict adherence to the regulations framed by the Tree Authority is mandatory for all concerned parties to protect and preserve trees and maintain ecological balance. Dr Avinash Dhakne, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) has warned that strict legal action will be taken against any individual, organisation or developer found violating the rules and regulations.
DGM Sheetal Tapovan Housing Society is located near Dandoshi Metro Station in Malad (East). The ‘P-North’ ward office had received an online complaint alleging that two trees located in front of this housing society were killed by injecting poison. Acting on the complaint, the Garden Department officers inspected the spot along with the complainant. During the inspection, it was observed that a Peltophorum tree situated on the roadside in front of the society’s entrance gate had 20 to 22 holes drilled near the base, in which poison had been injected. Moreover, a tree in front of the other gate of the society was found to be completely withered. As it appeared prima facie that the housing society had damaged the trees, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has registered a formal complaint against the parties concerned. Consequently, a non-cognizable offence under Section 8 read with Section 21 of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975 has been registered at the Karar Police Station.
The ‘N’ Ward Office had received a complaint of felling of more than 100 trees in excess of the permitted limit given by the Municipal Corporation in the Kalpataru Aura Housing Society Limited complex in Ghatkopar (West). Following the complaint, the spot was inspected. The Municipal Corporation had earlier allowed felling of trees with certain conditions and limitations. However, an on-site inspection revealed that the felling was done beyond the permissible limit. It is mandatory to obtain prior permission from the Municipal Corporation and strictly follow the approved conditions before cutting, damaging or felling any tree. Violation of these rules attracts penal and criminal action against the concerned individual, organization or developer. Accordingly, a case has been registered at the police station against ‘Kalpataru Aura Housing Society Limited’. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne said that damaging trees, injecting or injecting poisonous substances, and cutting or destroying trees are punishable offences under the law. Citizens are appealed to cooperate in environmental protection by immediately informing the concerned department in case of such incidents.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is effectively implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign with an aim to ensure safe, convenient and hassle-free travel for the citizens of Mumbai. Under the first phase of this initiative, encroachments will be removed from 320 km of footpaths. Since nearly 50% of daily journeys in Mumbai are made on foot, pedestrian safety should be given top priority. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has issued strict instructions to immediately clear the footpaths of all unauthorised hawkers, encroachments and other obstructions, ensuring that they are completely free from obstructions. Furthermore, necessary measures related to improvement, beautification and safety of footpaths should be implemented immediately. Assistant Commissioners of all administrative wards will have to review the work at the ward level daily, while Deputy Commissioners will have to review the zonal level once a week and submit a report to the Additional Municipal Commissioner. The Additional Municipal Commissioner will have to review after every 15 days. No negligence, delay or carelessness will be tolerated in this campaign. Commissioner Bhide has warned that strict action will be taken against officials found failing to comply with these orders and accountability will be fixed for such negligence. A review meeting involving various departments of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation was recently held at the municipal headquarters under the guidance of the Municipal Commissioner.
All Assistant Commissioners should personally inspect the footpaths in their respective jurisdictions daily and ensure effective implementation of anti-encroachment measures. This process should not be limited to taking action only. Continuous monitoring is necessary to address the recurrence of encroachments. Daily progress reports with ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos must be reviewed. Bhide has warned that strict action will be taken against any official found guilty of delay, negligence or carelessness in the work.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that keeping the footpaths free from encroachments is not just a one-time campaign but an ongoing administrative responsibility. Construction materials, debris, abandoned or improperly parked vehicles, piles of accumulated garbage, and uneven surfaces create obstacles for pedestrians. Therefore, all types of encroachments on footpaths in public areas, especially near schools, hospitals, railway stations, metro stations, bus depots, markets and high footfall zones, should be removed immediately to ensure that the footpaths are safe and accessible for pedestrians.
Unauthorized advertisement boards, hoardings, doors opening outwards from buildings, high ramps and other physical obstructions on the footpath should be removed immediately. Ashwini Bhide further clarified that the concerned officials should regularly verify that the licensed vendors strictly confine their sales activities, stocking of materials, stalls and signage to their designated areas. Furthermore, non-conforming or uneven ramps should be removed. It should be ensured that the entrances and doors of the building open inwards within the property boundaries. Tree branches obstructing the footpath should be scientifically cut as required. Footpath designs should be prepared as per prevailing standards. New footpaths should be constructed strictly as per the prescribed standard designs and using M-40 grade concrete. Use of paver blocks or stamped concrete is strictly prohibited under any circumstances. Moreover, footpaths should be made safe by removing gaps, uneven surfaces and all other physical obstacles. Bhide directed the concerned officials to ensure that absolutely no negligence is done in this regard. Bhide said that removing encroachments and making footpaths safe and walkable for pedestrians will greatly benefit students, senior citizens, disabled persons and the general public. This will increase pedestrian safety, reduce the incidence of road accidents, and encourage more citizens to use footpaths. Consequently, this will help improve the efficiency and speed of road traffic, thereby reducing traffic congestion. Reduced congestion will improve air quality and have a positive impact on public health. All concerned authorities should prepare a list of footpaths on a priority basis. Effective enforcement should be ensured through continuous follow-up to prevent recurrence of encroachments. Officers should not neglect their duties. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has made it clear that strict action will be taken against any official found obstructing the footpaths.