Shocking News: Sharad Pawar Resigns As NCP President
Senior Maharashtra politician Sharad Pawar today dropped a bombshell as he announced his resignation as chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Senior Maharashtra politician Sharad Pawar on 2nd May 2023 dropped a bombshell as he announced his resignation as Chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and said that he will not be contesting elections in the future. In 1999, before the Lok Sabha elections, Sharad Pawar, P. A. Sangma, and Tariq Anwar who were in the Congress, demanded that the party needed to propose someone native-born as the Prime Ministerial candidate and not the Italian-born Sonia Gandhi. The Congress then expelled the trio from Congress for 6 years. In response Pawar, Sangma and Anwar founded the Nationalist Congress Party in June 1999. Pawar has been the President of NCP since then. On 2nd May 2023, at the launch of the second edition of his autobiography, ‘Lok Maze Sangati’ Pawar said, “I have three years of tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections henceforth. I started my political career on 1st May 1960. Yesterday we celebrated May day. After this prolonged political career, one must think about stopping somewhere. One must not be greedy.” He added, "It's time for a new generation to guide the party. I recommend that a committee of NCP members decide on the election of the President's post.”
Pawar who has been a four-time Maharashtra chief minister, made the surprise announcement with nephew Ajit Pawar by his side. His decision was met with protests by NCP workers and leaders, many of whom could be seen in tears. He assured the party workers, "I am not retiring from public life. I will attend rallies and meetings. There will be no separation from me or public retirement. I was with you; I am and will always be there till my last breath," Emotional party workers and leaders stood up and begged Pawar to withdraw his decision and said they wouldn't leave unless he did so. Top NCP leader, Praful Patel said Sharad Pawar did not take anyone into confidence before announcing his resignation. It is being reported that Ajit Pawar may take over as the President. Ajit Pawar said, "Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health. Everyone has to make a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision, and he won't take it back. Let’s not be emotional. We all flourished under Pawar saheb and what is the use of repeating it again and again. Whoever will be the new president, will work under Saheb. Why are you so worried about the new president? This was to happen someday.”
Ajit Pawar also said his uncle had planned to announce his resignation on May 1 (Monday) but put it off due to a rally of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Mr Pawar's big move comes amid intense buzz that Ajit Pawar might join the BJP. However, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction has said it won't be a part of the government in Maharashtra if Ajit Pawar joins the BJP with a group of NCP leaders. Pawar was instrumental in forming an alliance among the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena, popularly known as Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Now everyone will have to wait and watch if new president of NCP will stay with the alliance.
