Amid allegations that Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare attempted to take over the NCP following the death of then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his son Parth Pawar on Thursday dismissed the reports targeting the two senior leaders as “baseless and speculative”, news agency PTI reported.

Such narratives were "nothing but fiction", he said in a statement, claiming that attempts were being made to drag these respected leaders into "manufactured controversies". Patel and Tatkare have demonstrated decades of commitment and leadership that continue to guide the party, Parth said, adding, "Such unfounded allegations are deeply unfortunate and must be called out."