Sharad Pawar Will Rethink On Resignation, Decision In 2-3 Days, Says Ajit Pawar

Sharad Pawar News: Amid massive protests by party workers and leaders, Ajit Pawar said his uncle Sharad Pawar will rethink on his decision to resign as NCP chief.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said his uncle Sharad Pawar would rethink on his decision to resign as party chief amid massive protests by party workers and leaders. Ajit said Pawar would announce his decision in two-three days.

"Sharad Pawar will take two to three days to rethink his decision (of stepping down as NCP chief). He has taken people's sentiments seriously and will consider their views and will give his decision in some time," Ajit Pawar said.

Ajit Pawar also appealed to party office bearers in Maharashtra not to tender their resignations. 

"We told him (Sharad Pawar) that workers are quite upset. We also told him that party workers want him to remain the party president along with having a working president. He said he will rethink his decision," ANI quoted Pawar as saying.

READ | Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil: Who Will Succeed Sharad Pawar As NCP Chief?

In a suprise move earlier in the day, Pawar said he was stepping down as the chief of NCP, the political outfit he founded and helmed since 1999. Pawar made the announcement at the launch of a revised version of his autobiography 'Lok Majhe Sangati' (People Accompany Me).

The decision was met with protests by party workers and leaders, who asked the leader to rescind the decision. 

Speaking at the event, Pawar said his political journey began on May 1, 1960, and he continued without a break for the past 63 years, serving Maharashtra and India in various capacities.

"I have three years of Rajya Sabha membership left, during which I will focus on the issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not accepting any responsibility (of party post). After a long period of public life 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.

Pawar said a committee of party leaders would decide on the election for his successor. The members of the committee are Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, KK Sharma, PC Chacko, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde and Jaydev Gaikwad.

NCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel said Sharad Pawar did not take anyone into confidence before announcing his resignation.

The development comes amid rumours about Ajit Pawar drifting towards the BJP. Speculation of Ajit Pawar jumping ship intensified when he skipped a meeting of NCP's Mumbai unit last month.