Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has said he will need some time to think over things after a party panel on Friday passed a unanimous resolution rejecting the veteran politician’s decision to resign his post.
The panel — constituted to find a successor to Pawar – said in its resolution: “The committee unanimously rejects Sharad Pawar’s resignation and will request him to stay on as the National President (of NCP).”
The committee, which consisted of senior leaders like Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Chaggan Bhujbal, later presented the resolution to Pawar.
Following the announcement, protesting party workers outside the NCP’s south Mumbai headquarters burst fireworks in celebration.
Former Union minister Praful Patel told the media Friday: “I was given the responsibility to be this committee’s head. Everyone feels Pawar saheb should not leave this post. NCP leaders across the country are stressed, aggrieved and angry. We cannot overlook that.”
He added: “We all think Pawar saheb should continue in this position. He should respect the crores of people across the country and take his decision back. There is no point in talking more about this. We will go to Pawar saheb and request him to reconsider.”
Patel also said many political leaders across the country had spoken to Pawar, his daughter Supriya Sule and Patel himself after the NCP founder suddenly announced his decision to quit on 2 May.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had tweeted, saying: “With national politics centred around upcoming 2024 General Elections, I request, Thiru. @PawarSpeaks, one of the tallest leaders, crucial in strengthening secular alliance across India, to reconsider his decision to relinquish the President post of @NCPspeaks and continue to lead NCP.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reportedly dialled Supriya Sule after hearing about Pawar’s resignation.
Pawar sprung his decision on the party on Tuesday during the launch of his revised autobiography “Lok Majhe Sangati”.
His decision caused much heartburn among leaders and workers alike, and prompted dramatic scenes at the event.
At the face of such high emotion, Pawar said a committee would be formed to look into this and that he would abide by its decision.
On Thursday, Pawar showed signs of a thaw when he met protesting NCP workers outside the Y.B. Chavan Centre in Mumbai and said he would meet colleagues from outside Maharashtra on Friday and would take a final decision in a day or two. He also added the sentiment of workers would not be ignored.
Sharad Pawar has been instrumental in firming up opposition unity ahead of the 2024 general elections. Pawar has also met opposition leaders from the Congress, the Trinamool, Aam Aadmi Party among others.
Even in his autobiography, Pawar has written about how the Congress was central to opposition unity.
There was, however, skepticism about the whole resignation episode among political analysts. Hemant Desai told ThePrint the entire committee brouhaha was a farce. “The committee members all believe in Sharad Pawar… How could they have given any other resolution? This looks like a farce.”
He also said Pawar now has to agree with the committee’s decision, and would, therefore, decide the course of the party in the upcoming elections. “Also, Pawar has shown he is still the boss and has direct connect with the workers. Whoever was trying to split from the party will now not do so,” he added.
Incidentally, in the weeks that led up to Pawar’s resignation, there was much conjecture that his nephew Ajit Pawar may split the party and take renbels to BJP. Both Pawar and his nephew, however, had vehemently dispelled this rumour.