Senior Maharashtra politician Sharad Pawar has stepped down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). But he isn't retiring from public life yet, he clarified. His surprise announcement was met with protests by party workers who demanded him to withdraw his decision.
Mr Pawar, who is one of the country's top Opposition leaders, had founded and helmed the party since 1999. There has been no announcement yet on who will succeed him as the party boss.
Here are the Live Updates on Sharad Pawar Stepping Down As NCP Chief:
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the event where veteran politician Sharad Pawar made the surprise announcement of his decision to quit as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president.
Sharad Pawar must have a plan for the future, his former associate and senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar said today, soon after the Maratha strongman announced his resignation as Nationalist Congress Party chief. Mr Anwar, who was a co-founder of the NCP along with Mr Pawar, said he does not take any decision without thinking it through. (PTI)
Sharad Pawar has left for his residence in south Mumbai and top NCP leaders are set to meet him there, reported news agency PTI.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar today announced that he is stepping down as the chief of NCP.
Next president of NCP will work under Sharad Pawar's guidance, says nephew Ajit Pawar, reports news agency PTI. He said Mr Pawar was to announce resignation on May 1, but put it off due to a rally of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition.
#WATCH | NCP leader Jayant Patil breaks down after party chief Sharad Pawar announces that he will step down as party president. pic.twitter.com/nDCu9iX2OG
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023
#WATCH | "I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," says NCP chief Sharad Pawar pic.twitter.com/tTiO8aCAcK
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023
#WATCH | Supporters of NCP chief Sharad Pawar protest against his announcement to step down as the national president of NCP. pic.twitter.com/LsCV601EYs
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023