Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Tatkare Dismisses Speculation Over Prashant Kishor's Role in NCP
A famous election helper named Prashant Kishor visited two leaders of a political party called the NCP.
News people started guessing that he got a new job with the party.
The party's state president, Sunil Tatkare, said that is not true.
He said the meeting was just a friendly visit.
Mr. Tatkare said he would have known if Mr. Kishor was hired as a party helper.
He also said the NCP does not need outside helpers because its members work directly with people.
Mr. Tatkare said the NCP will stay friends with the BJP and its alliance group.
Another leader, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, told the party to be careful not to upset its friends in the alliance.
Sometimes people guess about things that turn out not to be true.
The party wanted everyone to know Mr. Kishor is not an official worker for them.
NCP state president Sunil Tatkare dismissed speculation that Prashant Kishor was appointed as the party's political adviser.
Kishor met Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar in Mumbai on Thursday, a meeting Tatkare called a courtesy call.
Tatkare said he was unaware of any formal appointment and denied that political discussions took place.
Reports suggested Kishor advised the Pawars to revamp the NCP's Maharashtra leadership.
Tatkare reaffirmed the NCP's place in the BJP-led NDA, while BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule cautioned against steps destabilising the Mahayuti alliance.
- Who
- Political strategist Prashant Kishor, NCP leaders Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare, and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
- What
- The NCP dismissed speculation that Kishor was appointed its political adviser, calling his meeting with the Pawars a courtesy call.
- When
- The meeting took place on Thursday; Tatkare made his statement on Friday.
- Where
- Mumbai.
- Why
- To deny reports of a formal role for Kishor and to confirm the NCP remains part of the BJP-led NDA.
Speculation and Reports
Official NCP Position
Prashant Kishor's Role
Speculation and Reports
Reports speculated that Kishor had been appointed as the NCP's political adviser and advised revamping the party's Maharashtra leadership.
Official NCP Position
Tatkare called the meeting a courtesy call, denied any formal appointment or political discussions, and said he would definitely know about an official role.
Need for External Strategists
Speculation and Reports
The meeting and related reports suggested the Pawars were seeking strategic advice from an outside election strategist.
Official NCP Position
Tatkare said the NCP relies on ground-level work, not election surveys or such strategists, citing his 2024 Raigad win despite negative projections.
- Event
- Prashant Kishor's courtesy meeting with Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar
- Meeting Date
- Thursday
- Statement Date
- Friday
- Location
- Mumbai
- Key Official
- Sunil Tatkare, NCP state president and lone Lok Sabha MP from Raigad
- Sunetra Pawar's Role
- Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
- Alliance Status
- NCP remains part of BJP-led NDA; Mahayuti code of conduct stressed