At a time when the opposition parties in India are contemplating ways to show unity and throw a challenge to prime minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a major development took place in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar who has played a key role in recent times to bring the opposition together.
On Tuesday (2), Pawar, 82, dropped a bombshell by quitting as the chief of the NCP, fuelling speculation about his nephew Ajit Pawar drifting towards the BJP.
In a surprise announcement at the launch of his autobiography in the western city of Mumbai, Pawar said, "After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back."
"It's time for a new generation to guide the party. I recommend that a committee of NCP members decide on the election of president's post," he said, NDTV reported. He, however, asserted that he is not retiring from public life.
Pawar, who has served as the chief minister of the western state of Maharashtra in more than a term, as a minister of defence and also the chief of the Indian cricket board and the International Cricket Council, faced protest by workers and leaders of the NCP many of whom were also in tears.
Pawar, currently a member of the Rajya Sabha or Upper House of the Indian parliament, also announced a panel of senior leaders of the party to chalk out the way forward.
"I am not retiring from public 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 said.
Emotional party leaders and workers were not convinced and urged Pawar to withdraw his resignation. Praful Patel, a top leader of the party, said the veteran had not taken anybody into confidence before announcing his decision.
Emotional party workers and leaders begged Mr Pawar to withdraw his decision and said they wouldn't leave unless he did so. Top NCP leader and Rajya Sabha Praful Patel said Sharad Pawar did not take anyone into confidence before announcing his resignation.
Ajit Pawar said his uncle's decision should be seen in the light of his age and health and added that the latter would not take his decision back.
The senior Pawar's move comes amid speculation that Ajit, a former deputy chief minister, was warming up to the saffron party.
In November 2019, Ajit had taken oath as the deputy chief minister with the BJP's Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister but the government did not last long as it failed to prove its majority.
The BJP, which is reportedly seeking a tie-up to strengthen its numbers in the state of Maharashtra, had earlier said it would welcome Ajit Pawar if he were to change sides.
The resignation of the senior Pawar, one of India's most influential politicians who had played a big role in stitching together an unlikely alliance between the three parties -- NCP, Indian National Congress and former Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government which collapsed last year following a rebel by current chief minister Eknath Shinde and his loyalists.
Pawar must have a plan for future: Tariq Anwar
Pawar must have a plan for the future, his former associate and senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar said on Tuesday (2) soon after the Maratha strongman announced his resignation.
Anwar, who was a co-founder of the NCP along with Pawar after they were expelled from the Congress in 1999, said the veteran leader does not take any decision without thinking it through.
Asked about Pawar's decision, Anwar told PTI that this is his "personal decision" and every politician has a right to take his own decision.
"What the internal matter is we do not know but, as far as I know Sharad Pawar, he does not take any decision without thinking it through. He is a tall leader and if he has resigned from the post, he would have a plan for the future. It depends on him what is to be done," Anwar, who left the NCP to return to the Congress in 2018 and currently serving as its general secretary, said.
Asked about Pawar's contribution, Anwar said, "He has had a prominent role in the politics of the country. He has had a role as an Opposition voice and today also he is working for Opposition unity and calling for Opposition unity."
(With PTI inputs)
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