Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, today took back his resignation as the national president of the party.
“After my resignation, a severe reaction came from the cadres. Cadres and leaders were restless, they appealed to me to reconsider the decision. I cannot from my side hurt the sentiments of my cadres. I am therefore taking back my resignation,” Sharad Pawar said at a press conference.
The party will carry out some organisational changes, he said.
Earlier today, a Nationalist Congress Party panel formed to choose the next party president announced that it had unanimously rejected Pawar’s decision to step down, sparking celebration among jubilant party workers.
They burst crackers, raising slogans “Ekach saheb” (there is only one boss).
“I can’t disrespect your sentiments. Due to your love. I am respecting the demand that was made to me to withdraw my resignation and the resolution that was passed by senior NCP leaders. I withdraw my decision to step down as the national president of Nationalist Congress Party,” Pawar said in a message to party workers.
“I am overwhelmed by the trust and faith bestowed on me. Considering the appeal made by all of you, I am withdrawing my decision to retire. Even though I am continuing as the post of president, I am of the clear opinion there has to be a succession plan for any post or responsibility in the organization,” he added.
“This will not impact the MVA; all my colleagues are my successors,” Pawar said.
Pawar said that there was no truth in the rumours that his daughter Supriya Sule would be the party chief.
He also refuted the claims that NCP leaders wanted to join the BJP. Also, Ajit Pawar did not go to Delhi to meet Amit Shah, he added.
“In future I will focus on taking organizational changes in the party, assigning new responsibilities, creating new leadership. I will also work vigorously for the growth of the organization and take our ideology to the people. Your continuous support has been a real inspiration for me. I will be forever grateful to you who have stood by me during this time,” Pawar further said.
The NCP supremo hit the headlines last Tuesday when he announced, out of the blue, his decision to quit as president of the party.
The sudden announcement, which he made at the launch of his updated autobiography, had stunned the leaders and workers of the party that he founded in 1999 when he left the Congress and has been leading for the past 24 years.
