Sharad Pawar steps down as NCP president, recommends formation of panel to decide future course of action

Pawar recommended that a committee comprising senior NCP leaders be formed to decide the future course of action. “The committee will include, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, P C Chacko, Narhari Zirwal, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujabl, Dilip walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Jaydev Gaikwad and chiefs of party frontal cells,” Pawar said.

Following his announcement, several NCP leaders and workers rose to their feet and chanted slogans demanding that the NCP supremo reverse his decision.

Following his announcement, several NCP leaders and workers rose to their feet and chanted slogans demanding that the NCP supremo reverse his decision. “We do not accept saheb’s decision. We urge you to withdraw it. We will not move until you do it,” an NCP leader was heard saying.

Workers surround Pawar at the podium requesting him to no give up the NCP chief post.

Pawar’s announcement comes weeks after rumours about his nephew, Ajit Pawar’s possible defection to the BJP-led ruling alliance in Maharashtra sparked a furore within the party.

Ajit, meanwhile, said that while his uncle thought the party needed new leadership, the new leader will continue to work “under the guidance of Sharad Pawar”. “I just spoke to Kaki (wife of Sharad Pawar). She told me that he will not change his decision…Ultimately, new president will work under guidance of Sharad Pawar,” Ajit told NCP leaders.

“He talked about changing leadership in the past but we had no clue about he was talking himself,” he added. “Let’s not be emotional. We all flourished under Pawar saheb and what is the use of repeating it again and again. Whoever be the new president, will work under Saheb. Why are you so worried about new president? This was to happen someday.”

Stating that he was shocked by Pawar’s anouncement, NCP leader Praful Patel said party leaders had requested him with “folded hands” to change his decision.

#WATCH | Supporters of NCP chief Sharad Pawar protest against his announcement to step down as the national president of NCP. pic.twitter.com/LsCV601EYs

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

“He is not going to react immediately but I can assure that he is as connected to you all like anything. I request him to withdraw the decision on behalf of all. The state and the country needs leadership of Sharad Pawar ji. Therefore, we request him on behalf of all to let us know about his decision now,” he said.

An emotional Jayant Patil, who serves as the state NCP chief, said that party would be unable to function without him. “He remaining on top is important not only for State but for the country. This sudden decision cannot be taken, he has no right to take such decision,” he said, breaking down.

“There is no question of we accepting your decision today. You have always worked for every section of the society. It is time that opposition unity must be formed at the center. At the state level it is important for the growth of the NCP that you remain our chief. You must withdraw the resignation,” NCP MLA Dilip walse-Patil said.

Pawar is widely credited as the architect of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Reacting to the news, Sanjay Shirsat, the spokesperson of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said: “The decision taken by Sharad Pawar saheb is shocking for us too. We also wish that he shouldn’t take retirement. We know that there are restrictions of age but his.presence it self also matters a lot. He should also understand the emotions of NCP cadre and we also appeal that he should withdraw his decision to take retirement.”