Ajit Pawar Skips Press Conference As Sharad Pawar Says He Will Stay On As NCP Chief

Ajit Pawar had attended the NCP committee meeting in the morning that unanimously rejected Sharad Pawar's decision to step down.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar with his nephew Ajit Pawar and other party leaders

Source : Getty Images

Even as Sharad Pawar took back as resignation as NCP president, it was hard not to miss Ajit Pawar's absence at the press conference. Ajit Pawar did not attend the press conference at YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai even though he was present at the NCP committee meeting in the morning that unanimously rejected Sharad Pawar's decision to step down.

When asked about Ajit Pawar's absence at the media briefing, Sharad Pawar said, "Everyone can't be present in one press conference. Some of the people are here and some others are not. But this morning, senior leaders of the party, took a decision unanimously and made me aware of it. Everyone expressed their sentiments through that decision. So, raising a question as to who is present here and who isn't or looking for meaning into this, is not correct."

Senior leader Jayant Patil said Ajit had visited Sharad Pawar's residence earlier in the day to urge the NCP supremo to withdraw the resignation. "He was there  when we visited Pawar Sahab's residence after the decision was taken at the party office. Even I didn't know about the press conference, I reached a little late. Not everyone was told," ANI quoted Patil as saying.

READ | Sharad Pawar Takes His Resignation Back As NCP Chief, Says There Has To Be A Succession Plan

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.

In a suprise move on Tuesday, Pawar said he was stepping down as the chief of NCP, the political outfit he founded and helmed since 1999. The decision was met with protests by party workers and leaders, who asked the leader to rescind the decision. 

After announcing his decision to resign, Pawar said a committee of party leaders would decide on the election for his successor. On Friday, the committee unanimously passed a resolution rejecting Sharad Pawar's decision to step down.

Speaking at the press conference, Sharad Pawar said he could not disrespect the sentiments of his colleagues and party workers who insisted that he withdraw his decision.

"I cannot disrespect their feelings. I am overwhelmed by the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you, and honouring the decision of the committee constituted by the party, I am withdrawing my decision to retire," PTI quoted the veteran politician as saying.

"I will also work vigorously for the growth of the organisation and take our ideology and goals of the party to the people," he further said.