Mumbai, July 14 -- Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare on Tuesday refuted the claims of a rift within the party after senior NCP leader Sachchidanand Singh sent a legal notice challenging Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar's election as party president.

Sachchidanand Singh has termed Sunetra Pawar's election against the party constitution, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Sunil Tatkare maintained that Sunetra Pawar's election to the party's top post on February 26 was "proper and valid."

He said that the party leadership holds meetings with district presidents, office bearers, and MLAs before reaching a decision.

Tatkare said, "We issued the agenda in strict accordance with the NCP's constitution, and in my view, the election held...