INDIA: The 18-member committee appointed to decide the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the resignation of Sharad Pawar as president of the party, thus indicating that the Maratha strongman remains at the helm.
Sharad Pawar had last week resigned from the presidency of the party on health grounds and to give scope to new talent in the activities of the party.
In a meeting held at the NCP’s regional office in South Mumbai, the leaders rejected Pawar’s resignation. The meeting was attended by a host of leaders: Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, MP Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, Dhananjay Munde, Jayant Patil, Eknath Khadse, and Fauzia Khan. Rohit Pawar and others
Praful Patel told the media that in the meeting, a one-line resolution was passed saying that although Sharad Pawar had desired to step down, the meeting was of the opinion that he should continue as the NCP President and continue to guide the party.
Jayant Patil told the media that there is no alternative to Sharad Pawar, who is known at the national level. The NCP had a following in different states, including Nagaland, Manipur, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh, and Pawar was instrumental in maintaining rapport with different parties.
Besides, the leaders of other political parties had also expressed the desire that, now that the Lok Sabha elections are slated to be held next year, maintaining the opposition’s unity was of prime importance. We will request that Pawar withdraw his resignation, Patil added.
Later, the NCP leaders gathered at Pawar’s residence at “Silver Oak” in South Mumbai. Khadse said that Pawar will be conveyed the decision of the committee and will be urged to continue as the President of the NCP.
The NCP workers, in large numbers, had gathered outside the NCP office, holding play cards and raising slogans demanding that Pawar remain the chief of the party.
The NCP was formed in 1999 by Pawar when he was expelled from the Congress after he opposed Sonia Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate on the ground of her foreign origin.
The Election Commission of India withdrew the national party status of the NCP last month based on its performance in two parliamentary elections and 21 state assembly elections.
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