Sharad Pawar
Sharad Pawar will 'rethink' his decision to step down as NCP president: Ajit Pawar
Mumbai/IBNS: Maharashtra strongman and four-time chief minister Sharad Pawar, who announced to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has agreed to 'rethink' his decision that left many shocked, his nephew Ajit Pawar told reporters Tuesday evening.
Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule, met the veteran politician this evening along with other party leaders and later told reporters that he has sought a few days' time.
"I took my decision but because of all of you, I will rethink on my decision. But I need two to three days and I will give it a thought only if the workers go home. Some people have been resigning from party posts too. These resignations should stop," Ajit Pawar quoted his uncle as saying.
The leaders have suggested that Sharad Pawar remain the president and appoint a working president under him, Ajit said.
"We told Sharad Pawar that the workers are unhappy. You be the president and appoint a working president. Sharad Pawar listened to us and then asked us to come back here and speak to the workers sitting here," Ajit added.
Sharad Pawar announced his resignation this morning citing his advanced age. He is 83 years old.
He made the announcement accompanied by his nephew Ajit Pawar at an event of his autobiography's launch in Mumbai.
There are already many political speculations around Ajit Pawar who in 2019 had even taken oath as a deputy CM in a BJP-led government (after BJP's falling out with Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena over chief ministership) that later failed to prove its majority. There are speculations of Ajit going to the BJP even now.
"I cannot forget that Maharashtra and all of you have given me strong support and love in the last six decades. It's time for a new generation to guide the party and the direction it intends to take. I am recommending that a committee of NCP members should be formed to decide on the election of the vacancy in the president's post," Pawar said in his speech in Marathi as quoted by NDTV.
He said he has three more years in Rajya Sabha, but he will not contest elections in the future.
"I will concentrate more on issues concerning the state and the country. I will not take on any additional responsibilities... One must not be greedy," he said, quoted India Today.
"After Sharad Pawar's decision today, we all got emotional and stopped him for hours and demanded him to rethink. Since it was getting late, we asked Sharad Pawar to go home. However, the protest of the workers continued," Ajit Pawar told reporters.
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