Sharad Pawar takes back decision, to continue as NCP party chief

Maratha man Sharad Pawar on Friday has withdrawn his decision to step down as the chief of the National Congress Party (NCP). The decision came after a few days when Pawar surprised the political circles by announcing his decision to resign as the NCP chief. As per sources, Sharad Pawar, at a press conference on Friday said that he was revoking the move in deference to the wishes of the party workers.

Pawar announced his resignation on May 2, leaving the party in turmoil, which triggered anxiety among cadres. It is anticipated that the key opposition leader, Sharad Pawar will continue his efforts to bring opposition parties together for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

As per sources, while announcing his final decision on Friday, Pawar said that his daughter Supriya Sule did not agree to become the working president of the National Congress Party. Notably, Sule was the favourite among the party members to lead the party when her father, Sharad Pawar was stepping back.

“I could not disregard the feelings of co-workers and employees who pushed me to reverse my choice. The kindness and faith that have been shown to me have overwhelmed me. I am revoking my decision to resign after taking into account your requests and deferring to the judgement of the committee the party appointed,” Pawar stated.

Pawar stated that his party needs a succession plan and that he would now concentrate on modernising the party structure and appointing new leaders to different jobs. “I will work hard to help the party grow, and I will bring the party’s philosophy and objectives to the people,” he continued.

Sharad Pawar had requested more time to think things over, according to NCP vice president and committee member Praful Patel, who had seen Pawar at his Silver Oak home in Mumbai. The NCP committee earlier today approved a resolution rejecting Pawar’s resignation.

Senior NCP leaders including Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule and nephew Ajit Pawar said that the country needed the Pawar’s leadership. NCP workers started celebrating, as soon as Pawar said he was staying on.

Ajit Pawar, an 82-year-old sitting Rajya Sabha member, has denied any such effort, but his action has immediately brought the NCP together despite rumours of a potential split. Additionally, he denied rumours that certain NCP members were open to working with the BJP. He declared, “There is no truth to this.”

Later that day, Ajit Pawar issued a statement in which he expressed his appreciation for his uncle’s choice to revoke his resignation. According to him, the choice will strengthen “the unity of the party, Maha Vikas Aghadi, as well as opposition parties in the country.”

What made Pawar change his decision?

The committee members met with Sharad Pawar at his home earlier on Friday to discuss their decision to reject Pawar’s request to resign as party leader. It states that the resignation of NCP President and Rajya Sabha Member Sharad Pawar has been unanimously rejected. After the panel’s meeting, committee chairperson Praful Patel stated that the panel’s recommendation was for Sharad Pawar to continue serving as the party’s president.

He claimed that Sharad Pawar should continue serving as the party’s president after being summoned by numerous political figures from throughout the nation. Workers in the party, as well as leaders, expressed this viewpoint. We cannot ignore the feelings of the party members, Patel said.

Pawar also said that he received many calls from opposition figures like Sitaram Yechury and Rahul Gandhi. “When it comes to elections, it is crucial to bring different parties together. I prefer getting to know people personally, and many have told me that I’m needed for this,” Pawar added.