Team News Riveting
Mumbai, May 5
In a major political turn of event, veteran leader Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his decision to step down as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief.
The move came following pressure mounted by the party leaders and workers, three days after his announcement that had also put a question mark on opposition unity efforts ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The 82-year-old Maratha strongman, known for his deft political manoeuvring, said that leaders from various political parties across Maharashtra and the country requested him to continue as the party president.
Sharad Pawar’s nephew and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who was seen backing his uncle’s decision to step down when he made the dramatic announcement on May 2, was conspicuous by his absence at the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo’s press conference.
“After reconsideration of everything, I announce that I will continue as the president of the party. I take back my previous decision,” Sharad Pawar said Friday evening, causing overjoyed partymen in Mumbai to break into dance and celebrate with firecrackers.
Earlier in the morning, top NCP leaders had rejected Sharad Pawar’s resignation and had urged him to consider the feelings of lakhs of workers, setting the stage for a turnabout by one of India’s tallest and most astute politicians.
