India: Sharad Pawar resigns as Nationalist Congress Party chief

India’s Senior Maharashtra politician Sharad Pawar today dropped a bombshell as he announced his resignation as chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), redoubling speculation about his nephew Ajit Pawar drifting towards the BJP.

“After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back,” 82-year-old Sharad Pawar, who has played a pivotal role in bringing together opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, said in a surprise announcement at the launch of his autobiography in Mumbai.

“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, asserting that he is not retiring from public life.

The four-time Maharashtra chief minister made the surprise announcement with nephew Ajit Pawar by his side. His decision was met with protests by NCP workers and leaders, many of whom could be seen in tears.

Mr Pawar also announced a panel of senior party leaders to plan 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 assured.

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.

Reports that Ajit Pawar may take over gained traction when he said that the “next president of NCP will work under Sharad Pawar’s guidance”.

“Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back. We should see his decision in the light of his age and health. Everyone has to take a decision according to time, Pawar Saheb has taken a decision, and he won’t take it back”, Ajit Pawar said.

Ajit Pawar also said his uncle had planned to announce his resignation on May 1 (Monday) but put it off due to a rally of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Mr Pawar’s big move comes amid intense buzz around Ajit Pawar, a former Deputy Chief Minister, warming up to the BJP.

Speculation of Ajit Pawar jumping ship peaked when he skipped a meeting of his party’s Mumbai unit last month. He had claimed that he had other engagements, so had to miss the NCP convention. He also declared that he would work for the NCP “till I’m alive”.

After Sharad Pawar’s shock move, many suggested that it would clear the path for an Ajit Pawar-led NCP to join hands with the BJP.

BJP leaders have openly egged on Ajit Pawar to switch sides, though the party’s Maharashtra ally, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has made it clear that he opposes it.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction has said it won’t be a part of the government in Maharashtra if Ajit Pawar joins the BJP with a group of NCP leaders.

Ajit Pawar, to the embarrassment of Sharad Pawar, had on November 23, 2019, taken oath as Deputy Chief Minister with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis as chief minister, but the government fell without proving its majority on November 28.

Notably, Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule had exactly 15 days ago hinted at “two big political explosions” in the next 15 days.

“One (explosion) in Delhi and one in Maharashtra,” Supriya Sule, a senior NCP MP, told reporters, responding to Prakash Ambedkar’s comment on “big political explosions in 15 days”.

The BJP, which is reportedly angling for a tie-up to bolster its numbers in Maharashtra, had earlier said it would “welcome” Ajit Pawar, if he were to jump ship.

The speculation had intensified with some MLAs expressing support for “Ajit dada”.

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Mr Pawar, who served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, is one of the country’s top Opposition leaders and had a big role in stitching together a then unlikely alliance between Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.