Mumbai: Hours after Sharad Pawar announced that he would step down as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, his nephew Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said that the veteran Maratha politician has agreed to reconsider his move. Ajit Pawar said that he would take two to three days to reconsider his decision. “We told him (Sharad Pawar) that workers are very upset. We also told him that party workers want him to continue as party president along with being working president. He said he will reconsider his decision and 2- 3 days are needed.” ..” NCP leader Ajit Pawar told reporters that he held talks with protesting party workers in Mumbai.
Announcing his resignation, Sharad Pawar said that he has decided to quit as the President of the NCP after 24 years and said that he will not contest any more elections.
Pawar said, “After a long political career from May 1, 1960 to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Therefore, I have decided to step down as the President of the Nationalist Congress Party.” Release of second edition of his autobiography ‘Lok Bhool Bhulaiya Sangati’.
He further said that he would continue to work in political, social and cultural life. The veteran leader said, “I have three years left in the Rajya Sabha. I will not contest the election now.”
Shortly after senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar announced his resignation as party president on Tuesday, his nephew Ajit Pawar backed the former’s decision, saying the next party chief will work under Sharad Pawar.
“Pawar saheb (Sharad Pawar) will always be the head of the NCP family. Whoever will be the new president, he will work under the guidance of Pawar saheb,” Ajit Pawar told party workers protesting against Sharad Pawar’s decision. take it back
Ajit Pawar asked party workers and leaders not to get emotional over the decision and said, “Pawar Sahib himself had spoken about the need for change of power a few days ago. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health. Everyone has to take a decision according to the time, Pawar saheb has taken a decision and will not take it back.
Ajit Pawar said the members of the committee suggested by Sharad Pawar to elect the next party president “are not from outside, but from within the NCP family”.
However, party workers and leaders demanded that Sharad Pawar withdraw his decision. NCP leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal, Jitendra Awhad and Dilip Walse Patil said, “We are not ready to accept your decision to resign as NCP president. We want you to reconsider your decision.” Several leaders including Jayant Patil broke down after the veteran politician’s announcement.