Sharad Pawar withdraws resignation as NCP Chief, says – couldn’t disrespect feelings of the masses

After three days of high voltage drama, NCP President Sharad Pawar yesterday announced that he had changed his mind and said that he would stay on as chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as he “couldn’t disrespect the feelings of the masses”.

Sharad Pawar, 82, said Friday evening, “After reconsideration of everything, I announce that I will continue as the president of the party. I take back my previous decision.” Partymen in Mumbai got overjoyed on his announcement of withdrawal of the resignation. Partyment broke into dance and celebrated with firecrackers.

Meanwhile, yesterday morning NCP committee rejected resignation of Sharad Pawar. Following the rejection Sharad Pawar was supposed to remain as President of NCP. Thereafter a committee was formed to pick the next NCP president after his announcement of resignation. Senior NCP leader Praful Patel proposed the resolution to reject the resignation in the panel’s meeting on Friday.

Following the decision taken in the meeting Praful Patel, Vice President of NCP, addressing a press conference, said,” Sharad Pawar suddenly announced his resignation on May, 2. Sharad Pawar appointed a committee of party leaders for further course of action and to elect a new president. Today we held a committee meeting. Many leaders including myself, met Pawar saheb and we constantly requested him to reconsider his decision as the country and the party need him at this time. Besides, NCP leaders other party leaders and eminent personalities also requested him to continue as the party chief.