Putting an end to days of speculation, senior leader Jayant Patil officially resigned on Tuesday as the State President of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction). In a significant move, Patil proposed the name of MLC Shashikant Shinde as his successor—a decision unanimously backed by party members. Shinde, known for his unwavering loyalty to NCP founder Sharad Pawar, has been associated with the party since its inception in 1999. A grassroots leader with decades of experience, Shinde now steps into the role of state president with a pledge to rebuild the party and challenge the ruling government with the vigor once embodied by late NCP stalwart R.R. Patil.
Speaking to the media after his appointment, Shinde expressed gratitude to the party leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to the NCP’s core values.
“There were many capable leaders in the party, but I am grateful that the leadership found me suitable for this role,” he said. “Late R.R. Patil showed how a common man can work selflessly for the party. I will follow his footsteps, raise my voice against the government’s wrong policies, and won’t hesitate to take to the streets if necessary.”
Shinde further added that he would tour Maharashtra extensively over the next month to strengthen the party’s organizational structure.
“Today’s politics is influenced by the lure of power and money. I will fight against this trend. We will build a strong cadre base and give opportunities to the youth and marginalized groups,” he said.
Jayant Patil Reflects on His Seven-Year Tenure
In a heartfelt address, outgoing president Jayant Patil reflected on his 2,633-day tenure—nearly seven years—during which he did not take a single day off.
“During my tenure, I made it a point to reach every constituency, without forming any separate group or foundation. I followed the path shown by Pawar Saheb and accepted every decision he made,” Patil said. “This is the right time for me to step aside and let a new leader take the reins. I have requested Saheb (Sharad Pawar) to appoint a new president.”
Patil also voiced concern over the prevailing socio-political environment in Maharashtra and across India. He criticized the government’s failure to support farmers and spoke against rising divisiveness over language and religion. He raised alarm over the recent voter list revision in Bihar, where nearly 35 lakh voters were allegedly removed, warning that similar actions could follow in other states.
Who is Shashikant Shinde? A Glimpse into His Political Journey
Born on October 19, 1963, Shashikant Shinde holds a commerce degree and is recognized as a strong voice for Mathadi workers. He entered politics at a young age and contested his first assembly election from the Jawali constituency in 1999, defeating his opponent by 12,000 votes.
Shinde served as the Water Resources Minister under the Krishna Valley Irrigation Corporation and represented the Koregaon Assembly constituency as an NCP MLA from 2009 to 2014. Notably, he defeated senior leader Shalinitai Patil in that election. However, he lost the 2019 assembly election to Shiv Sena’s Mahesh Shinde.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from the Satara parliamentary constituency as the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate against BJP’s Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale but was defeated. Despite setbacks, Shinde remains a key figure in the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and currently serves as a Member of the Legislative Council and the chief whip of the faction.
Sharad Pawar appreciated Jayant Patil’s leadership during his tenure, acknowledging his tireless efforts even during challenging times. Pawar also fondly recalled memories of Shinde's father and emphasized the significance of a Mathadi worker’s son becoming the state president of the party.
