The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers were seen rejoicing outside the party office in Mumbai on Friday as the party’s core committee unanimously passed a proposal to reject Sharad Pawar’s resignation and requested him to continue as the NCP chief. The committee also passed a resolution stating that Sharad Pawar will continue to hold the party chief post.
This decision came just days after Sharad Pawar announced his decision to resign as NCP president on Tuesday. He had said that a committee of party leaders would decide on the election for his successor. However, the committee requested Pawar not to resign at the moment and continue till the Parliament elections.
Jayant Patil, an NCP leader, said, “He might have taken this decision to give a chance to new faces but we have requested him to stay on his post.” The committee members include Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, KK Sharma, PC Chacko, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Supriya Sule, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Awhad, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, and Jaydev Gaikwad.
After the meeting, Praful Patel, the Vice President of the Nationalist Congress Party, addressed a press conference and said, “Sharad Pawar ji suddenly announced his resignation on 2 May. He appointed a committee of party leaders for further course of action and to elect a new president. Today we held a committee meeting.”
He further added, “Considering all the demands of the party workers and the leader, we held a meeting today, and the committee unanimously passed a resolution. The committee unanimously rejects this resignation and we request him to continue as party president.”
Patel also stated that Sharad Pawar’s decision to step down from the post was taken for the future of the party and to create new leadership. However, the committee believed that Pawar should continue as the party chief. “Country’s leader Sharad Pawar ji had resigned from the post of President which is rejected by one vote and we request him to continue in the post and fulfill his responsibility. We have taken these decisions,” he said.
On Thursday, Sharad Pawar met protesting party workers who had demanded that he reconsider his decision to resign. Pawar had assured them that his decision was taken in the best interest of the party and to bring new leadership.
The NCP’s decision to reject Sharad Pawar’s resignation and request him to continue as party chief has brought relief to the party workers who were concerned about the future of the party. With the Parliament elections approaching, the NCP will now focus on preparing for the polls and ensuring its success.