The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Thursday assured his party workers protesting against his resignation at YB Chavan centre here that he shall ensure they won’t have to sit in protest in a couple of days, indicating that the issue of party leadership is likely to be resolved soon.
“I respect your sentiments. I should have discussed my plans with all of you and taken you into confidence. But I know you wouldn’t have allowed me to take the decision (of stepping down as party chief) had I discussed it with you earlier. But, don’t worry. I shall take a final decision in one or two days so that you won’t have to sit in protest like this,” Pawar said while speaking to his supporters who had came to Mumbai to talk to him and pursue him to roll back his decision of resignation.
Supriya Sule to be next NCP chief?
Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule, a three-term LS MP, is an effective parliamentarian and has contacts with leaders of parties across the political spectrum, whereas his nephew Ajit Pawar has good hold over the state unit and is widely acknowledged as an able administrator. Moreover, Ajit Pawar had recently spoken about his chief ministerial dreams, while Sule has always said national politics interests her, the leaders pointed out.
Senior NCP leader and former state minister Chhagan Bhujbal had earlier said Sule should take up the party’s national mantle and Ajit Pawar must head the state unit, though the MLA from Yeola in Nashik was quick to add that this was his personal opinion.
According to party sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin of the DMK spoke to Sule over phone to enquire about developments in the NCP following Sharad Pawar’s announcement on Tuesday.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress too have maintained that the developments in the NCP will not affect the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
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