New Delhi, May 1: Veteran politician and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar has decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). There is no announcement regarding who will step into his shoes as the NCP chief.
Pawar said at the launch of his autobiography Lok Maze Sangati’s second edition: “I have decided to step down as the president of the NCP”. He added he would no longer contest elections and that one must think about stopping somewhere after such a long career, PTI reported.
“I have three years remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections henceforth. In these three years, I will concentrate more on issues concerning the state and the country. I will not take any additional responsibilities… One must not be greedy,” the former Union Minister said.
Pawar’s supporters protested against his announcement to resign as the NCP chief. NCP leaders urged Pawar to reconsider his decision as slogans of ‘take back your decision’ erupted through the hall. After Pawar’s speech was over, loyalists also greeted him with folded hands and requested him to rethink his decision. Jayant Patil and Anil Deshmukh were among senior NCP leaders present when Pawar announced his decision to resign.
NCP leaders including Dilip Walse Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Jitendra Ahwad said: “We are not ready to accept your decision of resigning from the post of NCP president. We want you to reconsider your decision”.
He said he was not retiring from public life even though he is quitting the post of NCP president. Pawar also told protesting party workers and leaders, “Let us all work together but accept my resignation”. Commenting on the development, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Ajit Pawar said, “Sharad Pawar will abide by decision of NCP committee on his resignation”.
The 63-year-old Maharashtra Leader of Opposition, who is said to harbour ambitions to become the state chief minister in 2024, said the members of the NCP committee are from within the NCP family itself.
He said: “We are a family. Saheb (Sharad Pawar) will abide by the decision of the NCP committee on his resignation. We will form the committee with unanimity. But please, take back your resignation. It’s a humble request”. He added: “Don’t worry, they’re from the NCP family, be it myself or be it Supriya Sule”.
Pawar played a significant role in stitching together the unnatural alliance between the Shiv Sena, Congress, and the NCP to form the MVA government in Maharashtra. Sharad Pawar formed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) with PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar in 1999 after being expelled from the Indian National Congress (INC).
