Praful Patel denies reports of his appointment as NCP chief; Piyush Goyal retracts remark

The clarification came after Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal made remarks in an interview to PTI suggesting that Patel had been named NCP president following the death of party chief and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Goyal later withdrew the statement, saying it was based on incorrect information.

In the PTI interview, Goyal had spoken about the prospects of a merger between the two NCP factions and said that the party was now functioning under new leadership. His remarks triggered political reactions in Maharashtra, prompting swift denials from NCP leaders.

Tatkare told reporters that no decision regarding the party’s top organisational post had been made. “I have not heard what Piyush Goyal has said, but no such decision has been taken,” he said, adding that any leadership decision would follow due party process.