NCP (SP) hits back at Devendra Fadnavis, tells him to take care of seat squabble first

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis had sought to know the whereabouts of state NCP(SP) chief Jayant Patil.

“Where is Jayant Patil ? Such a big election is taking place and is nowhere to be seen. It is Sharad Pawar who is calling the shots while Jayant Patil seems to have been sidelined,” Fadnavis told reporters. (PTI Photo)

EVEN AS Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought to know the whereabouts of state NCP(SP) chief Jayant Patil, the party on Saturday told the DCM to first take care of the Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, who were quarrelling between themselves over seat-sharing.

Reacting to the Fadnavis claim, NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said Jayant Patil is playing the key role in the party’s campaigning for the upcoming elections and has been right upfront. “Jayant Patil is very much with us and there was no need for Fadnavis to worry about the whereabouts of our state chief,” Tapase said.

Tapase said the Mahayuti was a house in disorder. ”Sitting MPs and aspirants are fighting for seats. Both, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Shiv Sena led by the Chief Minister are facing internal war. As a result, the Mahayuti has not been able to release its final list. The fighting in the two camps is intensifying by the day. And a possibility of the Mahayuti collapsing cannot be ruled out,” he said.

Jayant Patil is known for his proximity to the BJP. The party had always refrained from attacking him. Last year, there were speculations that Jayant Patil would also join the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. However, Patil has repeatedly denied that he was leaving the NCP(SP).

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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