Amid growing tension between the veterans and young turks, the NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has convened an urgent meeting of the core committee on Wednesday at her official residence, Devgiri.

This is the second meeting after the core committee first met on Monday. The first meeting happened after the senior leaders met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday and complained about the unilateral functioning of NCP MP Parth Pawar and their neglect in decision-making.

Wednesday’s core committee meeting is also important after the party legislators and ministers on Tuesday expressed serious concerns over internal frictions and claimed the party is weakening in the absence of unity.

Sources said the core committee is expected to discuss the visits of ministers, legislators and MPs to the drought-hit areas and activating the party strengthening programme.

Earlier, in a meeting held on Tuesday, NCP leaders and MLAs voiced strong concerns, stating that the party appears weak and that grassroots members are left in the dark about ongoing friction among senior leadership. The meeting of all NCP MLAs took place at the official residence of the party’s National President and Deputy Chief Minister, Sunetra Pawar. Key leaders, including National Working President Praful Patel, State President Sunil Tatkare, senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal, and Dilip Walse Patil, were in attendance, along with over 20 MLAs.

During the meeting, State President Sunil Tatkare guided the MLAs on party organisation and how to tackle the severe drought situation prevailing across the state. Tatkare instructed all MLAs to visit drought-affected areas to understand the grievances of farmers and make concerted efforts to secure government assistance for them.

Party minister Makarand Patil and legislators Anil Bhaidas Patil and Sangram Jagtap raised the issue of internal friction and what was happening at the level of seniors. They argued that the party is becoming weak in the absence of a show of unity. Anil Bhaidas Patil raised a demand that the party should make concerted efforts to reclaim the crucial Finance portfolio. Additionally, several MLAs voiced complaints regarding alliance partners within the ruling Mahayuti coalition.

Notably, a majority of the MLAs, including Sunil Shelke, complained that their constituency works were not being processed or approved under the departments managed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Further, Minister Makarand Patil complained about the BJP’s dominance and its efforts to weaken the allies. He narrated the manner in which the BJP won the Satara Zilla Parishad polls, bypassing the NCP and Shiv Sena. He said that the NCP and Shiv Sena therefore fought together the recently concluded elections to the Satara District Central Cooperative Bank against the BJP.

MLA Saroj Ahire claimed that the BJP and the Nashik District administration are not keeping her in the loop, especially during the implementation of a slew of works for the Sinhasth Kumbh Mela. Another MLA, Hiraman Khosksar, apprehended that if the NCP got a step-motherly treatment in the allocation of funds, they would face defeat in the 2029 Assembly polls. Following instructions from the senior leadership encouraging legislators to freely express their challenges and opinions, the MLAs directly questioned the top brass regarding ongoing internal conflicts within the party.

On Monday, the senior leaders, including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil, briefed the core committee about their meeting with HM Amit Shah. They told the party chief how BJP and HM Shah are concerned over the present state of affairs of the NCP, emphasising the need for corrective steps. The delegation comprising all top leaders of the party, except Pawars, was reportedly advised by HM Shah to ‘pull up the socks’ as the collapse of the NCP organisation was hurting Mahayuti in Maharashtra.

The NCP leaders had sought HM Shah’s appointment to discuss the organisational matters as well as allotment of cabinet portfolios in Maharashtra, due to the NCP. The delegation included Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel, NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare, minister Hasan Mushrif, Chhagan Bhujbal, former Ministers Dilip Walse-Patil and Dhananjay Munde. Bhujbal’s nephew and former Lok Sabha member Sameer was also part of the delegation.

Both Patel and Tatkare, in the past, have openly called for introspection within the NCP following its defeat in the recently held legislative council elections. Bhujbal is miffed over the decision to appoint MLC Zeeshan Siddique as Mumbai NCP chief without even informing him. Both Walse-Patil and Munde are out of the state cabinet despite vacancies. The Finance portfolio, which was originally with the NCP, was taken up by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the death of Ajit Pawar. Despite repeated demands, the BJP has not handed over the portfolio to the NCP.

Mushrif was asked to step aside from Pune graduates’ constituency polls after the NCP let go of its claim and gave the seat to the BJP. Mushrif’s trusted aide, Bhaiyya Mane, was to contest the election originally. Sources within the NCP said that a lack of collective leadership within the NCP was one of the key issues discussed with HM Shah. “While the issue of lack of collective leadership within the party was discussed, it was told to them that the NCP leaders need to ensure smooth functioning of the party,” said an NCP leader privy to the discussions.

“These leaders were told that the problems within the NCP organisation are not harming them only, but being in Mahayuti, it is affecting the ruling alliance as a whole. If these issues are not resolved, then the alliance will face problems,” the source said.

Another party leader confirmed that HM Shah maintained that the BJP was closely observing the developments in Maharashtra. The NCP officially downplayed the visit. “It is highly unfortunate that unnecessary political colour is being given to the Wednesday meeting in Delhi between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party, attempting to fabricate a narrative of internal party differences,” said Umesh Patil, National Spokesperson, NCP.

Patil said that the meeting of senior NCP leaders took place after Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, in her last meeting with HM Shah, had mentioned that a delegation of senior leaders from the party would be meeting him and had requested time to be made available. He said that it appears that certain unseen forces are planting such reports to create an artificial narrative that there are internal differences within the Nationalist Congress Party and a lack of coordination in the leadership.

Launching a scathing attack on the Centre and the state government, Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Wednesday cited visuals of megastar Amitabh Bachchan greeting fans from behind a bulletproof glass enclosure as evidence of a total breakdown in law and order under the current administration.

In a sharp editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, the Thackray camp targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asserting that the state of public safety in the country has deteriorated to an alarming low.

The editorial noted that the 84-year-old cinematic icon — a national treasure with no political enmities — was forced to wave at his weekly fans outside his Juhu bungalow, Jalsa, enclosed within bulletproof glass following a recent threat perception.

Pointing to recent firing incidents near actor Tiger Shroff’s vehicle and extortion demands served to bullion merchants in Nagpur, the editorial questioned why high-profile film personalities, business tycoons, and ordinary citizens are living under constant siege.

The Uddhav Thackeray camp questioned why criminal syndicates, particularly the Lawrence Bishnoi network, continue to operate with apparent impunity. It alleged that a Home Ministry decree preventing state police forces from taking Bishnoi into custody from Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail has effectively granted the jailed gangster an “invisible security blanket”.

Mocking the ruling leadership’s political rallies and claims of handling national security, the editorial asserted that an administration unable to protect its top citizens and dismantle basic criminal networks has lost its moral authority, and called for Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation.

“While the ruling leadership stages high-profile rallies under heavy police protection, ordinary citizens, builders, and film icons live in constant terror. How many citizens can the state furnish with specialised defence shields?” asked the editorial.

The editorial concluded by highlighting the stark contrast between the government’s boasts of political dominance and its failure to guarantee basic physical safety for prominent public figures and business owners across Maharashtra.

In view of the severe drought affecting 304 out of 358 talukas in Maharashtra — which has caused widespread damage to an estimated 141.53 lakh hectares of rain-fed, irrigated, and horticultural crops — Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, Raj Thackeray, on Wednesday announced the cancellation of the annual Deepotsav celebration at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park.

Every year, the MNS celebrates Deepotsav at Shivaji Park with grand illuminations and spectacular fireworks, drawing crowds from Mumbai, Thane, and various corners of Maharashtra to enjoy the festivities. However, through a video message, Thackeray announced that the celebration will not be held this year.

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Thackeray said, “There is usually immense enthusiasm. Illuminations and fireworks are set up here at Shivaji Park, and people from all over Maharashtra—from Mumbai, Thane, and distant corners of the state—make it a point to come and enjoy the Deepotsav, having a wonderful time. However, we have decided not to celebrate Deepotsav this year. The sole reason is the terrible drought that has struck, exists, and looms over Maharashtra. In light of this severe drought, my heart simply could not accept celebrating a festival of this kind.”

He highlighted the grim reality facing the state, noting that rural Maharashtra is grappling with acute water scarcity and a worsening drought.

“Today, Maharashtra is passing through a very peculiar phase. Given this situation, when we celebrate Diwali with grand enthusiasm, how would our brothers and sisters in rural Maharashtra, and their young children, feel about it? I think we need to reflect on this ourselves,” he stated.

Taking a critical stance on political priorities, Thackeray added, “The Chief Minister stated that this drought will be even more severe than the one in 1972. Even though this was announced earlier, it seems the ruling party leaders didn’t quite grasp it and continued playing Garba. Be that as it may, that is their concern. But celebrating Diwali and organising such a Deepotsav under these circumstances does not feel right to my conscience, and hence the decision has been made not to hold Deepotsav this year.”

Expressing hope for better times ahead, Raj Thackeray prayed for relief and good conditions next year. Highlighting the impending migration from rural areas, he warned, “Countless households and communities will be forced to leave their villages from numerous places across Maharashtra and head towards the cities, where urban conditions are already visible to us. Celebrating such a festival amid this overall state scenario did not feel right to me, and I have a humble request to make to you as well.”

Clarifying that he is not advocating a “black Diwali,” he urged citizens to practice moderation. “We do not want to celebrate a black Diwali, but we must exercise some restraint on that excitement. It is necessary to check ourselves and exercise restraint when bursting crackers and putting up illuminations. We are all citizens of Maharashtra, and we all have immense love for our state. When citizens of Maharashtra are suffering like this, celebrating a festival on a massive scale just does not feel right, and it shouldn’t feel right to you either,” he noted.

Concluding his message, Thackeray urged people to stick to traditional simple observances while keeping celebrations in check. “Therefore, this Diwali, let us all hang lanterns, share sweets, and do all the necessary things, but I request you to exercise restraint when it comes to heavy lighting and bursting firecrackers. Next year, we will once again celebrate Deepotsav with great zeal. Until then, this is all I wanted to share with you,” he said.

He wrapped up his message by extending heartfelt Diwali greetings to the public on behalf of himself, his family, and his party MNS.