NCP chief Sharad Pawar steps down as party president, says ‘one must not be greedy’
Sharad Pawar with party leaders during a book launch event, in Mumbai. (Photo credit: PTI)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he has decided to step down as the party’s national president.
“I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP,” Pawar said, adding that he will not be contesting elections in the future.
“On May 1, 1960, I began my political career. Now it is the time when one must think about stopping somewhere. One must not be greedy,” Pawar said at the launch of of his autobiography, ‘Lok Maze Sangati’.
Pawar’s announcement left his wife Pratibha Pawar in tears, while his supporters raised slogans and requested him to take back his decision.
Pawar also announced a committee of senior party leaders, including Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Dilip Walse-Patil, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, KK Sharma, Anil Deshmukh, Rajesh Tope, Supriya Sule and Chhagan Bhujbal, to decide on the future course of action of the party.
The NCP chief’s big move comes days after his “now is the time to flip the bread” statement at the Yuva Manthan programme in Mumbai.
However, Ajit Pawar said that the Sharad Pawar will abide by the decision of the NCP committee on his resignation.
