Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers were seen celebrating outside the YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai as the senior party leader Sharad Pawar took back his resignation as the national president of the party on Friday (May 5). Workers can be seen dancing, hooting, and chanting slogans in a video posted by the news agency ANI.
Days after publicly announcing his resignation as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, Sharad Pawar has reversed his decision. "I'm withdrawing my decision," Sharad Pawar said at a press conference on Friday.
"I can't disrespect your sentiments. Due to your love, I am respecting the demand that was made to me to withdraw my resignation and the resolution that was passed by senior NCP leaders. I withdraw my decision to step down as the national president of NCP," Pawar said.
The former Maharashtra Chief Minister did, however, mention the need for a succession plan in the NCP.
Sharad Pawar's decision to step down was rejected by a committee tasked with selecting the new NCP National President today.
READ MORE | Sharad Pawar Takes His Resignation Back As NCP Chief
"The committee has unanimously passed a resolution. It unanimously rejects his decision to step down and urges him to continue as party president," senior party leader Praful Patel said after the committee meeting on Friday.
Pawar formed the committee, which included Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, former Union minister Parful Patel, and Chhagan Bhujbal, after announcing his resignation as NCP chief on May 2.
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While announcing his return to the party in the highest position, he stated that he will focus on organisational changes in the party and work with "renewed vigour."
Pawar's resignation announcement came at a time when there has been much speculation about the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the party repeating its mistake of aligning with the BJP in 2019. Ajit Pawar has made no secret of his desire to become chief minister.