Hunger strike, self-immolation threats: Drama at NCP office as party rejects Pawar’s resignation

The meeting of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was not short of any drama.

A unanimous resolution was passed to reject the resignation of Sharad Pawar as party president. Party leader Praful Patel said that Pawar had taken the decision without informing any of the party workers. He also said that his resignation had been rejected and an appeal was made to him to stay on as party chief.

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The decision of the party to reject the resignation was rejoiced by all party leaders. There were celebrations outside the party's office in Mumbai. Prior to the meeting there was utter chaos outside the party's office with NCP workers attempting self-immolation. The party workers said that if the resignation is not rejected by the party, then they would go on an indefinite hunger strike starting tomorrow.

The party leaders would now meet with Sharad Pawar and convey the decision of the panel, rejecting his resignation. They would also hand over the resolution that was passed by them.

Patel earlier said that they have been meeting with Pawar and urging him to reconsider his decision. We cannot neglect the feelings of the NCP workers from across the country, Patel also said.

The drama would however continue in the NCP for a couple of days more. There are rumours rife that Ajit Pawar, the nephew of the senior Pawar is planning to rebel against the party. In the wake of these reports, there was news that Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sole would be given a national role, while Ajit Pawar would be in charge of the state.

An editorial by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) had on Wednesday said that the decision by Pawar to step down was to do with the fact that many from the NCP were planning to jump to the BJP. The decision was taken to counter that move, the editorial also said.