MUMBAI: Sharad Pawar on Friday took back his resignation as the national president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
"I'm taking my decision back," he announced at a press conference.
“I can't disrespect your sentiments. Due to your love, I am respecting the demand that was made to me to withdraw my resignation and the resolution that was passed by senior NCP leaders. I withdraw my decision to step down as the national president of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)," Pawar said.
Pawar speaks at a press conference at YB Chavan Ground in Mumbai on Friday — Sanjay Hadkar (TOI)
Earlier, as an NCP panel formed to choose the next party president announced on Friday that it had unanimously rejected Sharad Pawar's decision to step down, jubilant NCP workers broke out in celebration outside the outfit's office. They burst crackers, raising slogans "Ekach saheb" (there is only one boss).
On being asked about the absence of Ajit Pawar in his press conference, Pawar said, "everyone can't be present in one press conference". So, raising a question as to who is present here and who isn't or looking for meaning into this is not correct, he added.
"Everyone can't be present in one press conference. Some of the people are here and some others are not. But this morning, senior leaders of the party took a decision unanimously and made me aware of it. Everyone expressed their sentiments through that decision. So, raising a question as to who is present here and who isn't or looking for meaning into this is not correct," the NCP chief said.
"Others are here. The committee took this decision and after their decision, I took my decision back. All are united and discuss this. Senior leaders are there in the committee," Pawar added.
With agency inputs