Sharad Pawar Steps Down As NCP Chief

Veteran Maharashtra politician Sharad Pawar has stepped down as president of the Nationalist Congress Party.

Speaking at a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan, Pawar announced his decision, which was met with protests by NCP workers and leaders.

"I have decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party," the 82-year-old Pawar said. He remains a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Pawar also announced a panel of senior party leaders to draw up a future course of action.

Party workers and leaders, however, demanded that Pawar withdraw his decision. They threatened not to leave the venue unless he rescinded his decision.

A four-time Maharashtra chief minister who served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, Pawar was instrumental in stitching together an unlikely coalition of the NCP, Congress, and then the ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

(With inputs from PTI)