Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai, May 2: Many people were surprised by the decision made by seasoned politician Sharad Pawar on Tuesday to step down as leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, the political organisation he founded more than 20 years ago.
At the launch of the second edition of his autobiography Lok Maze Sangati, Pawar announced, “I have decided to step down as the president of the NCP.” His announcement was greeted by loud exclamations from the gathering.
An influential politician in Maharashtra, Pawar announced that he would no longer run for election, since, after a lengthy career, one must consider stopping somewhere.
“I have three years’ tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections henceforth. In these three years, I will concentrate more on issues concerning the state and the country. I will not take any additional responsibilities… One must not be greedy,” he said.
Pawar, though, made it plain that he was not abandoning politics. “My colleagues, even though I am stepping down from the post of president, I am not retiring from public life,” he said.
As NCP leaders disagreed with Pawar’s decision to resign as party leader, cries of “take back your decision” resounded throughout the hall. Loyalists rushed onto the stage after he finished speaking and begged him with folded hands to reconsider his departure.
Pawar’s choice is made against the backdrop of rumours regarding the future plans of his nephew, Ajit Pawar, a former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra. Some have suggested that Ajit Pawar may align himself with the BJP.
However, Ajit Pawar has reaffirmed that he will remain in the NCP until the very end. Sharad Pawar made his shocking remark as Ajit Pawar and himself were both on the dais.
