MAHARASHTRA: In a massive development, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced his retirement from the post. the 82-year-old said- “I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP, but will continue to work for the people.” This triggered protest by Sharad Pawar’s supporters who reportedly urged him to take back his decision.
The senior Maharashtra leader, a four-time Maha CM made the announcement at a book launch event of his autobiography with his nephew Ajit Pawar by his side. His decision broke down several NCP workers and several leaders who requested Pawar Sahab- to reconsider his decision. They threatened not to leave the venue unless he rescind his decision.
Pawar also announced a panel of senior party leaders to draw a future course of action.
The announcement comes amidst buzz around his nephew jumping the ship. Speculations are rife that Ajit last month skipped a meeting of his party’s Mumbai unit, raising brows on his next political move.
Sharad Pawar, a four-time Maharashtra CM served as the Union Defence and Agriculture minister. He played a key role in stitching an unlikely alliance of the NCP, Congress, and then ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.