As Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) president Sharad Pawar announced his decision to step down as the party chief, BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday said there is going to be a “bigger change” in Maharashtra politics.
Speaking to the news agency ANI, Ghosh said, “Since a lot of days, there has been some turmoil in Maharashtra politics. There have been some talks going on…This is a result of it.” He added, “NCP’s survival is in jeopardy, Sharad Pawar is losing his power.”
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On Tuesday afternoon, Pawar in an unexpected move announced stepping down as the president of the NCP, turning the tables in Maharashtra politics. Speaking at a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan in Mumbai, Pawar said that “after a long period, it is necessary to take a step back”, adding that it is now “time for a new generation to guide the party”.
{{/usCountry}}On Tuesday afternoon, Pawar in an unexpected move announced stepping down as the president of the NCP, turning the tables in Maharashtra politics. Speaking at a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan in Mumbai, Pawar said that “after a long period, it is necessary to take a step back”, adding that it is now “time for a new generation to guide the party”.
{{/usCountry}}“After such a long career, a person should also think of stopping at some point,” Pawar told over 600 party men gathered at the event.
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However, he said that he will not be retiring from active politics. “Even though I am stepping down from the post of President, I am not retiring from public life. I will continue attending public events, and meetings,” Pawar said.
Meanwhile, as the announcement led to emotional NCP workers holding a protest and threatening suicide across the states, Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar said that the NCP chief now would take “two to three days to reconsider his decision.”