Sharad Pawar tries to pacify party workers, says will rethink quit call in 2-3 days

Shar Pawar, president of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), visited YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai on Thursday for second day in a row to meet with NCP workers after anuncing his intention to resign from position. Pawar visited YB Chavan Centre on Wednesday as well, where he spoke with party members from various parts of state. 82-year-old leer anunced on Tuesday that he will be leaving his post as NCP he, but will t quit public life. 

Leers and members of 24-year-old party were baffled by anuncement, me by Shar Pawar at launch event of his autobiography. 

On Thursday, NCP chief arrived outside YB Chavan Centre in a bid to calm cre who h been protesting his decision to quit top post for three days. 

Speaking outside Y B Chavan Centre in city, where his supporters have been camping to demand his continuation as party chief, Pawar said he would take a final decision in next couple of days and sentiments of party workers will t be igred. "I respect your sentiments. I should have discussed my plans with all of you and taken you into confidence. But I kw you wouldn't have allowed me to take decision (of stepping down as party chief)," former Union minister told his supporters. 

He said some party colleagues from outside Maharashtra will meet him on Friday to discuss issue.  "I will take a final decision in one or two days," he said. 

A party worker present on side said, “We request that you (Shar Pawar) reconsider your decision, we have agreed to all decisions that you have conveyed to us but this decision of t being NCP chief is t acceptable for us. It is our humble request that you reconsider decision because this request is t only from Mumbai but across country, we also have letters with us as well which are being handed over to you. At this point of time request which has been me by each and every NCP worker and leer from state and country that you should reconsider your decision. You should take back decision and continue as chief of party,”

Ar ly worker said to Shar Pawar, “Since 3 days we have been sitting here and continuously requesting you to consider your decision and we will continue till time you don't take back your decision. You have given an ample of chances to each and every leer who is standing here and we are working for party and under your blessing and your guidance. At this point of time if country can be saved, it is only because of you and you should continue to be chief, leer of party. We need you and you should continue.,”

NCP Chief appealed to workers as he stated, “I am meeting leers of party from two days and I can understand feeling you are expressing at YB Chavan, at this place. I am getting calls t only from Maharashtra but across country. Whatever decision I have taken, for furr course of party, it's for future of party. And I truly believe that re should be a new face which will take party forward. It was very hard for me as well to take this decision, I thought about it a lot.,” 

“I have to stand with my decision but only intention is to see future of party. committee has been formed and final decision will be taken only after decision. I will also attend all meetings and feelings of all workers would be taken into consideration.” Some of m argued that Pawar should le party at least until 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, while ors threatened to go on a hunger strike if he did t change his mind.

(With inputs from PTI)