On the same day that senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar announced his resignation as party president, his nephew Ajit Pawar backed him up, saying that the future party chief will report to Sharad Pawar.
“Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar) will always be the head of the NCP family. Whoever will be the new President will work only under Pawar Saheb’s guidance,” Ajit Pawar told the party cadre who were protesting against Sharad Pawar’s decision urging him to withdraw it.
Ajit Pawar further asked the party workers and leaders not to become emotional over the decision and said, “Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won’t take it back.”
Ajit Pawar stated that the members of Sharad Pawar’s proposed committee to elect the future party President are “not from outside, but are from within the NCP family itself”.
However, party workers and leaders demanded that Sharad Pawar reverse his decision.
“We’re not ready to accept your decision of resigning from the post of NCP president. We want you to reconsider your decision,” said NCP leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal, Jitendra Awhad and Dilip Walse Patil Several leaders including Jayant Patil broke down after the Veteran politician’s announcement.
Pawar announced his resignation by saying that he has decided to step down as president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after leading it for 24 years and that he will not run for office again.
“After this prolonged period of political career from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the Nationalist Congress Party,” Pawar said after the launch of the second edition of his autobiography ‘Lok Maze Sangati’.
He further said that he would continue working in the political, social, and cultural life. “I have three years tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections now,” the veteran leader said.
