The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, has appointed Shashikant Shinde as the new Maharashtra unit president, succeeding Jayant Patil who resigned after seven years in the position. Shinde, a loyalist of Pawar and a Maratha leader, has been entrusted with the responsibility to rebuild the party with renewed enthusiasm and to strengthen its preparation for the upcoming local body polls in Maharashtra. Shinde expressed gratitude for the appointment and committed to working hard to advance the party's interests, including addressing issues related to farmers and laborers. The leadership transition comes at a challenging time for the NCP in the state, and Shinde’s appointment reflects Pawar’s decision to select a low-profile leader outside his family to lead the party forward.