Amid speculation that his nephew and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar is considering an understanding with the BJP, Sharad Pawar, the founder and chief of the NCP since 1999, on Tuesday announced to step down from the post and to not contest any elections in future.
“After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. After this prolonged political career, one must think about stopping somewhere. One must not be greedy. Hence, I have decided to step down as President of the NCP,” the 82-year-old veteran in Indian politics who is widely credited as the architect of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for bringing together the NCP, the Congress and ideologically opposite Shiv Sena in an unlikely coalition, after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, said in an announcement at the launch of the second edition of his political memoirs, ‘ Lok Maze Sangati’ (‘People Accompany Me’).
The move comes at a time when Mr. Pawar was seen as a leader who could bring together Opposition parties of different hues, interests and ideologies, ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls next year.
Moots committee
The NCP patriarch said it was time for the new generation to guide the party and the direction it intended to take, and recommended that a committee comprising party senior leaders, including his daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule, Mr. Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal, Praful Patel, and others would decide who should be his successor.
The four-time Maharashtra Chief Minister and former Union Minister said he had three years remaining in the Rajya Sabha during which he would focus on issues related to Maharashtra and India with a caveat of not taking any responsibility. “I will also pay attention to issues related to youth, students, workers, Dalits, tribals and other weaker sections of the society,” Mr. Pawar said.
“I am not retiring from public life. ‘Constant travel’ has become an integral part of my life. There will be no separation from me or public retirement. I was with you; I am and will always be there till my last breath,” he assured the party cadre who rose to their feet urging their leader to rescind the decision. The emotional party cadre were heard saying they won’t accept his decision and won’t leave the auditorium till he does so.
NCP State President Jayant Patil and party leader Jitendra Awhad broke down after Mr. Pawar’s announcement, while Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel said the octogenarian leader did not take anyone into confidence before announcing his big move and requested him to withdraw his decision.
However, junior Pawar, who seems to be among a few who were aware of the decision, gained traction after he told the party workers, “There is no need to get emotional; Pawar saheb will continue to guide the party even after resigning, similar to how Sonia Gandhi continues to remain the leader of Congress despite having a president.”
Mr. Ajit Pawar, who is speculated to be the next Maharashtra chief of the NCP, said Mr. Pawar had taken a decision, and he won’t take it back. “I just spoke to kaki [aunty]. She told me that he will not change his decision…We should see his decision in the light of his age and health. Everyone has to take decisions according to time,” he said, adding that Mr. Pawar wanted to announce the big move on May 1 but postponed it by a day due to the MVA’s mega rally in Mumbai.
The NCP leaders conveyed the message of protesting party workers to the party’s supremo. “He has said he has made his decision, but he will need two-three days to think it over on account of your insistence. But he will think it over only when all workers go home,” Mr. Ajit Pawar told party workers on the premises of the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan.
Pawar Play
Surprise announcement
Mr. Pawar’s announcement took the political circles at the State and national levels by surprise and discussion is now on what is likely to unfold in the political spectrum of the western State in the coming days.
Calling him the ‘soul of Maharashtra politics’, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut likened Mr. Pawar’s decision to that of Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
“Fed up by dirty politics and allegations, Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray too had resigned as the Shiv Sena Pramukh. History seems to have repeated itself... But owing to the love of Shiv sainiks he had to withdraw his decision... Like Balasaheb , Pawar Saheb too is the soul of the State’s politics,” Mr. Raut said.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said the decision was the NCP’s internal matter. “It is his personal decision... NCP’s internal matter. I do not think it will be appropriate to talk about it at this stage,” he said.
Congress leader Nana Patole expressed confidence that Mr. Pawar’s decision will not impact the MVA and hoped that the new chief of the NCP will stay with the alliance. “We thought Pawar saheb will remain in public life till his last breath but we can’t tell why he resigned,” he said.
Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s spokesperson and MLA Sanjay Shirsat said the decision came as a shock for them too and appealed to Mr. Pawar to withdraw his decision. “We wish that he shouldn’t take retirement and should understand the emotions of party cadre,” he said.
