Sharad Pawar Withdraws His Decision to Step Down as NCP Chief Considering Party Members’ Wishes

GG News Bureau

Mumbai, 6th May. Sharad Pawar, who startled political circles by declaring his decision to step down as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president, stated on Friday that he was rescinding his decision in accordance with party workers’ demands.

Sharad Pawar, a senior opposition leader, is expected to continue his efforts to bring the opposition parties together for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Apart from his party workers, certain opposition leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, had encouraged Pawar to reconsider his decision because of his role in bringing the opposition together.

Sharad Pawar, known for adept political maneuverings, told the media that he was respecting the wishes of NCP workers.

“Because of your love and respect, I am taking back my decision to step down as party chief. 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 Nationalist Congress Party,” Sharad Pawar said.

“After my 63 years of public life, I felt I was relieved from my post, but after this, there was a strong reaction from the workers of NCP…office bearers expressed sadness over this decision and urged me to reconsider. Innumerable well-wishers, all of them called me, my party colleagues from all over the country and especially from Maharashtra and others urged me to take over the responsibility of the post of president again,” he added.

Earlier, the Nationalist Congress Party rejected Pawar’s resignation as party chief and asked him to continue leading the party he formed.

The decision was made following a meeting of the party’s central committee in the morning.

Workers from the NCP were spotted holding signs in favor of Sharad Pawar, encouraging him to reconsider his decision.

Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s nephew, was not present at the press conference, but the NCP chief stated no meaning should be read into it.

“Others are here. Committee took this decision and after their decision, I took my decision back. All are united and discuss this. Senior leaders are there in the committee,” 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,” he added.

Sharad Pawar also denied rumors of a schism in the NCP.

“If someone wants to go, irrespective of the party, no one stops him….The leader should take care of how to make the organization healthy by being on the front foot,” he said.

Sharad Pawar stated that there have been recommendations that he stay in the position and appoint his daughter, party MP Supriya Sule, as working president.

He stated that the suggestion was not accepted, and it was also rejected by Supriya Sule.

Sharad Pawar’s decision to rescind his resignation as party president was also applauded by Ajit Pawar.

According to a statement issued by Ajit Pawar’s office, the NCP chief’s move will energize all party members.

“Sharad Pawar’s decision to continue as National President of NCP by agreeing to the request of all party leaders and workers across the state and country will boost the enthusiasm of every worker of NCP including me,” he said.

He stated that Sharad Pawar had agreed to the workers’ request and that it was the responsibility of party workers to look after his health.

He urged party members to give the NCP additional strength in their work. Sharad Pawar, who created the NCP in 1999, has served as party president for the past 24 years.

At the age of 27, the 82-year-old leader became an MLA for the first time before becoming the state’s youngest Chief Minister at the age of 38 in 1978.

He has served as Maharashtra’s chief minister four times and also as Defence Minister.

He served as Agriculture Minister in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government.