Sharad Pawar withdraws resignation, to continue as NCP chief

Sharad Pawar on Friday announced that he is taking back his resignation and would continue as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president.

Photo Credit: Sharad Pawar

Addressing a press conference, Pawar said that his decision to resign had caused unrest among his supporters and loyalists, who urged him to reconsider. Party workers, well-wishers, and supporters from across the state and country had also reached out to him, asking him to continue as the party chief.

After receiving so much love and support from his supporters and voters who had been with him for many years, he could not ignore their sentiments. Moved by their trust in him, Pawar announced that he would be revoking his decision to retire from the post.

Asked about Ajit Pawar's absence at Friday's press briefing, Sharad Pawar said "not all people can be at all places", and asked media not to read too much in his nephew not being present.

Pawar, a key Congress ally, said his daughter and MP Supriya Sule declined to a suggestion by party leaders to become NCP working president.

Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil said all party leaders compelled Sharad Pawar to withdraw his decision, telling him that he must continue working for the country and the state. He also took to Twitter to appeal to the cadres to distribute sugar across the state.

Earlier in the day, committee of leaders appointed to take a decision on appointing a new party chief rejected Pawar's resignation from the post and later met him at his residence Silver Oak to apprise him of the party's sentiments.

"The committee has unanimously passed a resolution. It unanimously rejects his decision to step down and urges him to continue as party president," Patel said after a meeting of the committee.

Pawar had set up the committee, including Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal, after he announced on May 2 that he would be resigning as NCP chief.

"Pawar saheb is a respected leader in the country. There was a strong response against Pawar's decision. The emotions cannot be ignored," Patel said.

Pawar's dramatic announcement on Tuesday had sent shockwaves among the party cadre. After pressure from party workers and leaders had mounted, he had said he would take two-three days to rethink his decision.

(with PTI inputs)