Former deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar stands apart as the only party leader backing uncle Sharad Pawar's plan to quit

MUMBAI: For years now, former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, 63, has been at the centre of the succession battle within the NCP, the party founded by his uncle Sharad Pawar.
Also See: Sharad Pawar News Live
In recent months, there has been speculation about a renewed rebellion by him. On Tuesday, Ajit Pawar stood apart as the only senior leader in the NCP who supported Sharad Pawar's decision to quit as party chief.

Addressing party workers at the Y B Chavan auditorium after the senior Pawar announced his retirement, he said, "You are under a misunderstanding that if Pawar saheb is not the party president, he will not be in the party. That is incorrect. In the Congress Mallikarjun Kharge is the party president but Sonia Gandhi runs the party," he said.
He said considering Sharad Pawar's age, it had been decided after discussions to provide a new leadership for the party which would work under his guidance. "No one can dispute that the NCP is Sharad Pawar. The new president will work under his guidance. There is no need to become emotional. Just the other day, he had said that a new leadership has to be created and the bhakri has to be rotated."
He added that he had spoken to senior Pawar's wife Pratibha Pawar and she had said that he would not revoke his decision. "There will be a new president under Pawar saheb's guidance. We should support the person. We remain a family and he remains the head of the family."

He said elders in families do give opportunities to younger people. "This was going to happen at some point in keeping with the times. If a new president is appointed under his leadership, then what is the problem?" he asked. "A party or an organization must take decision in accordance of the requirement of the situation, there is no point in taking emotional views and decisions,'' he said.
"Pawar saheb was going to announce this on May 1 but it was the date of the MVA rally and the media would focus on this instead. So, the date of May 2 was decided," he said.

After the senior Pawar's resignation speech, several NCP leaders tried to get him to reconsider his decision. When party workers urged his daughter Supriya Sule to add her bit, Ajit Pawar instructed her not to speak: "Supriya, don't say anything. I am saying this in my capacity as her elder brother." His comments raised eyebrows as Ajit and Supriya are seen to be the key contenders for the post.
Later when party workers refused to leave the auditorium until Pawar senior withdrew his resignation, Praful Patel said the committee set up to appoint a new president would take their views into consideration. When party workers refused to back down, Ajit Pawar brusquely said, "Do they think we are fools?"
However, a party worker hit back at Ajit Pawar. "You say even the Congress has a party president working under Sonia Gandhi. But look where the party is now," he said.
Later in the day, Ajit Pawar joined an NCP delegation to meet the senior Pawar at his residence. By end of day, they had secured an assurance from the senior Pawar that he would put the retirement decision on hold for 2-3 days, provided the restive NCP cadre would return to their bases.

Watch Ajit Pawar speaks on the Sharad Pawar's resignation as NCP chief