NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar group on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) night dissolved the panel of all 22 State spokespersons of the party. The move has been made in line with the party’s restructuring efforts. The national spokespersons have not been affected though.
“The decision has been taken by the State president of the party and is applicable only to the State spokespersons. This does not apply to the national spokespersons,” a leader told The Hindu on Wednesday (August 5, 2026). Currently, Mahesh Tapase and Vidya Chavan are the only two State spokespersons who have been given the responsibility to represent the party in front of the media organisations.
The move comes amid not just organisational changes, but also speculations about the possibility of support to the BJP.
State party president Shashikant Shinde said the decision has been taken as a part of the party’s efforts to restructure its organisational leadership ladder. “New party functionaries should get an opportunity. This does not mean injustice is being done towards anyone. Several changes are being made in the party. This is a part of it. New spokespersons will soon be appointed. I will hold district-wise meetings from 15th or 16th of August. We intend to carry out many changes in the organisational structure,” he told The Hindu on Wednesday (August 5, 2026).
He also denied reports that he did not maintain communication with the top leadership. “As the State president, I work in close coordination with Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and Jayant Patil,” he said.
A few days ago, Mr. Shinde had appointed a new president of the students’ wing of the party. Along with that, a few other new appointments were also made. “It is the party’s system to evaluate performance and take decisions. Mr. Shinde will now look at appointing his own team in key positions,” a party leader said.
Some confusion was caused on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) morning after the party’s national spokesperson Anish Gawande posted a gratitude message on the social media, thanking the party for the opportunity given to him for the last two years. He later told The Hindu that the national spokespersons continued with their positions.
Published – August 06, 2026 08:47 am IST
