Much on expected lines, Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his resignation as the President of the Nationalist Congress Party - ending the three-day-long political drama in Maharashtra.
However, the 82-year-old Pawar, who founded and heads the 24-year-old NCP, called for a succession plan and hinted at organisational changes and creating new leadership in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.
Celebrations broke out at NCP offices across the state as soon as ‘saheb’, as he is lovingly called, announced the withdrawal of his resignation.
In the process, Pawar made it very clear to one and all as to who is the boss and thwarted any possible attempts of rebellion in the ranks and files and switchover to other parties including BJP.
While it was expected either Pawar’s daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule and his nephew and Baramati MLA would be given charge of the party or responsibilities, however, both of them seemed to have said no to stepping into the shoes of Pawar.
On Tuesday, at the launch of “Lok Maze Sangati’ (People are My Companions), the revised edition of his 2015 memoirs, Pawar - who completed 63 years in public life - had abruptly announced his resignation, shocking one and all.
Besides, Pawar had constituted a committee to look for his successor, which met on Friday and rejected the resignation and later conveyed it to the veteran politician.
The resignation had also put a question mark on the Opposition unity in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
“I am overwhelmed with the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you and honouring the decision of the committee constituted by the party , I am withdrawing my decision to retire,” Pawar said.
Pawar said that even though he was continuing in the post of President, he was of the clear opinion that there has to be a succession plan for any post or responsibility in the organization.
“In future, I will focus on making organizational changes in the party, assigning new responsibilities, and creating new leadership. I will also work vigorously for the growth of the organisation and take our ideology and goals of the party to the people,” he said.
Talking about the resignation, Pawar said: "After 63 years of long service in public life, it was my own decision to step down. But my decision evoked strong sentiments amongst the people. Party workers,
office bearers and my colleagues were disheartened to hear my decision. All my wishers unanimously appealed to me to reconsider my decision. At the same time, the leaders from various political parties, my colleagues and well-wishers from all over the country and especially from Maharashtra persuaded me to change my decision.”
In fact, several national leaders have called up the Pawars and their close aides and requested the veteran not to hang up his boots.
“Your continuous support has been a real inspiration for me. I will be forever grateful to you, who have stood by me during my successes and all the challenges of my life. I reiterate that I accept the responsibility as the party President,” he said.
During the news conference, when reporters asked about Ajit’s absence, Pawar said: “It's not necessary for all the leaders to be present in the press conference…all the NCP leaders were present in the succession committee meeting earlier in the day when they took the decision unanimously.”
Pawar also denied that there was any truth to the rumours that any NCP leaders wanted to defect to other parties. "If anyone wants to go, no one can stop anyone….but there's no truth that people in our party want to go out," he said.
Pawar also added that Ajit knew about his decision to step down. “I have told him that this is my thinking (of stepping down)…but I am sorry that I have not taken you others into confidence,” he added.