NCP meeting highlights: ‘Sharad Pawar’s leadership necessary for opp unity': Sanjay Raut

"Uddhav Thackeray & other opposition parties have conveyed their feelings to Sharad Pawar that his leadership is necessary for opposition unity & the country considering the current political environment in country," Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut said.

NCP Panel committee members met Sharad Pawar at the latter's residence in Mumbai after the committee decided to reject Pawar resignation and request him to continue as party chief. 

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has sought some time to consider party committee resolution, said party leader Praful Patel.

(PTI)

NCP leader Ajit Pawar reached party chief Sharad Pawar's residence after the party's committee passed a proposal and rejected Pawar's resignation and requested him to continue as NCP chief.

“Mr Pawar expressed his desire to step down as president of the party. We unanimously reject the resignation. We decide unanimously that we will request him to carry on as party president,” Praful Patel says.

"Many top leaders of the country in the past few days have reached out to Mr Pawar, Supriya Sule and even me and expressed their sentiment. We have seen the sentiments of the cadres from across districts. Everyone has expressed that he shouldn't be stepping down [as party chief]", Vice President Praful Patel says.

"There's sadness and hurt and they are upset. We can't ignore that. Whatever decision Mr Sharad Pawar took he didn't take us into confidence. We had a meeting today after he gave the responsibility to chose next party chief. Today the committee in its meeting has passed a resolution unanimously."

“Sharad Pawar Ji announced his resignation all of a sudden on 2nd May. He appointed a committee of party leaders for further action and to elect a new president. Today, we had a meeting of the committee,” says NCP Vice-President Praful Patel.

He further said, “I constantly requested since that day that sir the country and the party needs you now. You are the foundation of this party. He is an extremely respected leader across the country. His experience and his influence can be seen across states.”

An NCP worker poured kerosene on himself but was stopped by others inside party headquarters.

Unidentified NCP workers tried to commit suicide, outside NCP Party office in Mumbai

NCP's Core Committee passed a proposal requesting party chief Sharad Pawar to continue to lead the party, news agency ANI reports. 

NCP's Core Committee meeting is underway in Mumbai to decide the next party chief. This comes days after party chief Sharad Pawar announced his resignation from the post.

“In the Core Committee meeting today, Praful Patel will propose a resolution to reject the resignation of Sharad Pawar and will request him to take back his decision,” NCP National Spokesperson Clyde Crasto says.

PC Chacko, Kerala NCP president, says, “The committee will unanimously request Pawar saheb to continue (as NCP national president) as it will be in the interest of the country and party also. There is no other agenda before the committee. We will make a request and I'm sure he will go by the advice of this committee.”

NCP leader Jayant Patil reached the NCP office at Ballard Estate in Mumbai.

NCP meeting is going to start at 11am. Senior leaders are reaching the state NCP office to attend the same.

Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said on NCP meeting, “This is their party's internal matter, they will take a decision.”

NCP workers raised slogans on Friday outside party office in Mumbai in support of Sharad Pawar continuing as NCP chief and urging him to not resign. 

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) meeting will be held at party headquarters in Mumbai at 11 am. The party will be deciding its successor after Sharad Pawar's decision to step down last week.