Sharad Pawar, the president of India's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has withdrawn his resignation three days after announcing it.
Pawar cited the appeals made by colleagues and party workers and expressed his commitment to making organizational changes and new leadership.
Sharad Pawar, the president of India's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has withdrawn his resignation three days after announcing it.
At a press conference on Friday, Pawar said he couldn't disregard the emotions of his colleagues and party members who urged him to reverse his decision. "I cannot disrespect their feelings. I am overwhelmed by 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.” he said.
The veteran politician stressed the need for a succession plan for any post in an organization and will focus on making organizational changes in the party, assigning new responsibilities, and creating new leadership.
Sharad Pawar has been a public representative for 56 years now, he has served as a member of the State Assembly and of the Legislative Council, as well as a Member of Parliament in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
He had earlier announced that he is stepping down as NCP President during the launch of his autobiography. Pawar also announced the formation of a panel of senior party leaders that would plan the way forward for the party, reassuring the public that he was leaving the ship in good hands.
He asserted that the time had come for him to step back from. “A long period of public life from May 7, 1960 to May 1, 2023” and it was now time to step away from it, he said.
Speaking of his resignation, Pawar said, "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."
He also expressed his commitment to working tirelessly for the growth of the organization and taking the party's ideology and objectives to the people. Pawar's decision to quit had created ripples in the political circles, with several leaders of the opposition parties expressing concern over his sudden move.
"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 at the press conference.
(This is a developing story more updates are awaited.)