New Delhi: Maharashtra’s veteran politician Sharad Pawar today announced his resignation as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president, but is not retiring from politics just yet. No announcement has been made yet as to who will be the party leader after him.
The four-time Maharashtra Chief Minister made the surprise announcement at the launch of his autobiography in Mumbai, along with his son-in-law Ajit Pawar. His decision was protested by NCP workers and leaders, many of whom were seen in tears.

Mr Pawar announced a panel of senior party leaders and chalked out the future course of action.

However, party workers and leaders insisted that Sharad Pawar should withdraw his decision. They threatened that they would not leave the place unless he retracted his decision.

Mr Pawar’s big move comes as his son-in-law Ajit Pawar, a former deputy chief minister, has warmed to the BJP.

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

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

The BJP, eyeing an alliance to boost its tally in Maharashtra, had earlier said it would “welcome” Ajit Pawar if he jumps on board.

Speculations intensified as some MLAs extended their support to “Ajith Dada”.

Mr Pawar, who served as the Union Minister of Defense and Agriculture, was one of the country’s leading opposition leaders and was instrumental in forging the then unlikely alliance between the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.