In Pune district’s Baramati town, NCP president Sharad Pawar’s home turf and synonymous with his politically powerful family, the news of his resignation as party chief has come as a bolt from the blue for party residents, who want that he should continue to lead. Organization.
In a big disclosure, 82-year-old Pawar said on Tuesday that he was relinquishing the post of chief of the political outfit he had founded and run since 1999 after quitting the Congress.
The former Union minister made the announcement at an event in Mumbai to release the updated version of his Marathi autobiography ‘Lok Majhe Sangati’.
As the news reached Baramati in western Maharashtra, located about 250 km from Mumbai, its residents rubbed their eyes in disbelief and struggled to come to terms with the development.
“Pawar saheb should not resign. The party is because of him and he should not give up the reins. Jawahar Shah, who runs an educational institute in Baramati, said he should not think of stepping down and stay on top of matters as long as possible.
Shah said that before going public, Pawar would have discussed the dramatic move with his ambitious nephew Ajit Pawar, who has been at the center of intense political speculation over the past few weeks.
“It is quite possible that they were discussed before this announcement. Pawar saheb will not take such a decision alone.”
Shah said the people of Baramati, who have been represented in the Lok Sabha by the Maratha leader for a long time, want him to continue leading the party, which was a constituent of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra till June last year.
“It is everyone’s wish and demand that Pawar saheb should continue as the NCP chief. The party’s mass base has increased due to his efforts.
Yogesh Jagtap, who is associated with the NCP, said that Pawar’s decision has shocked not only the people of Baramati but the entire state of Maharashtra.
“In the present volatile political situation, the leadership of Pawar Sahab is greatly needed. He is a father figure and today the state needs the leadership of Pawar saheb… He should remain active in politics.
“Just as Balasaheb Thackeray cannot be replaced by anyone in the Shiv Sena (founded by him), similarly Pawar saheb cannot be replaced in the NCP. Till the last moment, he should remain the head of the party and while handling the reins of the party, prepare a team and prepare the next level leadership. Ajit Pawar is already ready because everyone knows Ajit Pawar’s work,” Jagtap said.
He said that there is no doubt that Ajit Pawar is an able administrator, but the party needs the leadership of the NCP’s mentor.
Jagtap said, “I am sure Saheb will have to withdraw his decision as the common party workers and people of Baramati will not accept his decision.”
He said that in the whole episode there was an attempt by some people to make Ajit Pawar a “villain”, but whenever any important decision is taken in the party, it is first discussed in the family.
Madan Devkate, another local resident, said he has been following Pawar’s political career for more than 35 years.
“As per the information I have, Pawar saheb took this decision in consultation with Supriya Tai (his daughter Supriya Sule, current MP from Baramati) and Ajit dada and we will accept whatever decision the family takes,” he said.
He said the party needed Pawar’s guidance.
Devkate said, “Though his decision is shocking to all as the Lok Sabha elections are round the corner, it is also true that whenever he takes a decision, it is a well thought out one.”
Imtiaz Shikilkar, who owns an industrial unit in the town, said the resignation announcement was a big blow to him.
“Everyone is shocked… no one is able to accept that he has taken such a decision,” he said.
Prashant Kate, another resident of Baramati, said it was difficult for the locals to digest the news.
He said, ‘Everyone is of the opinion that Pawar sahib should not have taken such a decision.’
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)