Overview

• At a general meeting on July 15 at Mumbai’s YB Chavan Center, veteran leader Jayant Patil resigned as state NCP president.
• Anil Deshmukh proposed Shashikant Shinde’s candidacy, which was unanimously approved by senior party leaders.
• Shinde’s political career includes multiple MLA terms in Javali and Koregaon, a stint as Water Resources Minister, and current service in the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
• Sharad Pawar tasked Shinde with shaping the party’s campaign strategy for the upcoming local body polls.
• The appointment underscores the faction’s drive for unity and renewal to counter rival gains in regional strongholds.