Pune: The dissolution of NCP’s entire Beed district unit, the resignation of former Pune city unit chief Deepak Mankar, and the expulsion of Rajendra Hagawane, who was arrested in connection with his daughter-in-law’s death, will be on the agenda for discussions when deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar-led party celebrates its 26th anniversary in Pune on June 10.Confirming this, state NCP president Sunil Tatkare on Friday said it is quite unfortunate that some office bearers were found to be involved in criminal activities, and police cases were also registered against them. “We have acted against such members but I feel that a person involved in crimes should not be associated with the party.”After the split in 2023, both factions have been organising separate conventions to mark anniversaries in Pune since last year. This time, Ajit Pawar‘s camp will hold its event at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, while NCP(SP) headed by Sharad Pawar has chosen Balgandharva Auditorium for its convention’s venue. Tatkare said senior leadership has taken cognisance of all criminal cases involving party functionaries, and on June 10, they will reflect on them. “All members will be told not to indulge in any criminal activity, or they will face action even within the party.”Amidst speculations of a possible merger of both factions, Tatkare said, “I am categorically saying that we have not received any such proposal. We have a core group within NCP which makes all the important decisions, and there has been no discussion on this topic.”He further said his party is not deviating from its stand of being within NDA. “The discussion of joining NDA had been going on since 2014, and finally, the party collectively took a call to be part of the alliance under the leadership of Ajit Pawar. Now, those who support our stand and want to join us, we will welcome them.” Earlier this year, NCP had to disband its Beed district unit after it came to light that some of the officer bearers were named in the FIR registered in connection with the Massajog sarpanch murder case. Mankar recently resigned from his post after a case of forgery was registered against him in Pune. The top brass expelled Hagawane from the party after he was named in the FIR related to the death of his daughter-in-law Vaishnavi. Later he was arrested.
