Mumbai: Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare has lamented that his party colleagues didn't stand by him and Praful Patel when the Opposition targeted them after deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's death earlier this year, sources said on Wednesday.
Tatkare expressed his anguish during a meeting held in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who now heads the NCP after her husband's death, at her official residence Deogiri in south Mumbai on Tuesday night, they said.
The meeting was attended by party ministers and senior leaders, though Patel was not present, the sources said.
"No one from the party stood up in our support when we were being targeted," said a source, quoting Tatkare. Senior NCP leader and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal responded to Tatkare, advising him that it was best to put the past behind them and work for a better future.
Rival NCP (SP), led by Sharad Pawar, has been targeting Tatkare and Patel, accusing them of trying to hijack the NCP since Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28.
During Tuesday's meeting, Sunetra Pawar stressed the need to work together and strengthen the party organisation. Her sons Parth and Jay Pawar, who are part of NCP's national executive, were also present.
The sources said there was no talk about a letter sent by Sunetra Pawar to the Election Commission last month in which Patel and Tatkare's designations in the party were not mentioned.
The party recently attributed the omission to a "clerical mistake", clarifying that it would be rectified and a revised letter would be sent to EC.
NCP sources said appointments of BLAs (booth-level agents) for the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) and preparations for the party's foundation day on June 10 were discussed during the meeting, as those present resolved to be led by Sunetra Pawar.
The NCP shares power in Maharashtra with the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
