Ajit Pawar supports Sharad Pawar’s decision to step down as NCP president

On the same day that senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar announced his resignation as party president, his nephew Ajit Pawar supported him up, saying that the future party chief will be accountable to Sharad Pawar.

“Pawar Saheb (Sharad Pawar) will always be the head of the NCP family. Whoever will be the new President will work only under Pawar Saheb’s guidance,” Ajit Pawar told the party cadre who were protesting against Sharad Pawar’s decision urging him to withdraw it.

Ajit Pawar further added that the party workers and leaders not to become emotional over the decision and 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 also. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision and he won’t take it back.”

Ajit Pawar said that the members of the committee suggested by Sharad Pawar to elect the next party President who will not be from outside, but to be within the NCP family itself. However, party workers and leaders are demanding that Sharad Pawar should withdraw his decision.

“We’re not ready to accept your decision of resigning from the post of NCP president. We want you to reconsider your decision,” said NCP leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal, Jitendra Awhad and Dilip Walse Patil. Several other leaders including Jayant Patil broke down after the Veteran politician’s announcement.

Pawar, in announcing his resignation, claimed that he has decided to step down as president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after leading it for 24 years and that he is not going to contest any more elections but will remain engaged in politics.