Sharad Pawar announces to quit NCP chief post amid buzz over Ajit Pawar's next move
"Let us all work together, but accept my resignation," said Sharad Pawar to party workers who were opposing his resignation.
Sharad Pawar quits NCP chief post: Veteran politician Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced that he is stepping down as the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Sharad Pawar along with P. A. Sangma, and Tariq Anwar had formed NCP in June 1999 after being expelled from the Indian National Congress in May 1999.
While attending an event, Sharad Pawar announced, "I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP." He added, " I want someone else to lead the party now... now I want to focus on politics."
NCP chief Sharad Pawar's supporters immediately started sloganeering and demanded the resignation be taken back. His daughter Supriya Sule and nephew Ajit Pawar also urged the supporters to stay calm amid the announcement. Emotional party leaders Praful Patel, Jayant Patel also urged the senior leader to take back his resignation. "Party and the nation needs you... request you to take back your decision."
ALSO READ: Sharad Pawar resignation: Why did Ajit Pawar stop Supriya Sule from speaking
"We're not ready to accept your decision of resigning from the post of NCP president. We want you to reconsider your decision," said other leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal, Jitendra Awhad and Dilip Walse Patil.
Trying to pacify the party workers NCP leader Ajit Pawar, said, "Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won't take it back.
Pawar after announcing his resignation also said that a committee will be formed for the selection of the party chief position. NCP leaders Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patel will be part of the committee.
ALSO READ | 'Will stay in NCP till my last moment', reiterates Ajit Pawar
'The Ajit Pawar factor'
The announcement by Sharad Pawar, who has served as Maharashtra chief minister four times, has come at a time when speculations of his nephew Ajit planning to side with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are rife in the political alleys of the state.
Ajit Pawar had skipped a key meeting of NCP last month triggering talks about his next political move, however, the leader had then shot down the speculations saying he was busy attending some other events during the same time and that nothing more should be read in this. "Several speculations about me were circulated and rumours were spread. For no reason, a ring of suspicion was created around me but without falling prey to any rumours, I am continuing with my work,” Ajit Pawar had said.
"I am sure you also have several questions in your mind. You also must be thinking that if I would repeat the same thing that I had done at 8 am (in an apparent reference to his early morning oath-taking in 2019). But I have already told you that I will continue to work in NCP till my last moment and will agree with any decision that my party takes," he added. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde had earlier made it clear that his party won't be part of Maharashtra government of Ajit Pawar and his team join the BJP.