Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, who dropped a resignation bombshell on May 2, said he has reversed his decision to quit as party supremo.

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar takes U-turn on his resignation

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his resignation as party chief and said he is no longer stepping down.

"I'm taking my decision back," he announced at a press conference.&nbsp; 
 
Pawar, who sprang a surprise by announcing his resignation three days ago, said he could not disrespect the sentiments of colleagues and party workers. “I cannot disrespect their feelings. I am overwhelmed by the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you, and honouring the decision of the committee constituted by the party, I am withdrawing my decision to retire.” 
 
He also stressed that there has to be a "succession plan" for any post or responsibility in an organisation and that he will focus on creating new leadership.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-sharad-pawar-resigns-as-nationalist-congress-party-ncp-chief-588097">India: Sharad Pawar resigns as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief</a>

he decision comes after&nbsp;the party unanimously rejected his resignation and asked him to continue in his post.

The decision, along expected lines, was taken at a meeting of the special committee set up by Pawar to name his successor following his dramatic May 2 announcement of stepping down as party head.

The committee also resolved that it was unable to elect another president in Pawar's place and that it requested him to continue until his term ends. It further indicated that the party was fully united under him vis-à-vis recent speculation of a possible split.

NCP Vice-President Praful M Patel, the convenor of the said committee, while addressing a media conference said that the panel's decision&nbsp;on two resolutions — first rejecting Pawar's resignation and the other urging him to continue as party chief — shall be conveyed to the senior leader for his final call in the matter.

The resolutions as per Patil were passed in tune with everybody's expectations. A team of senior leaders met Pawar and conveyed the resolutions to him.

As per IANS, the official decision once announced was met with thunderous applause, cheers, and even tears of relief. Party rank-and-file gathered outside the NCP headquarters reportedly broke into song and dance.

Watch |&nbsp;Sharad Pawar announces his resignation, NCP workers protests outside office

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sharad-pawar-announces-his-resignation-ncp-workers-protests-outside-office-588322/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Patel said that the entire party made its sentiments clear on Pawar's decision to quit and that the views were "again" put forth at the committee meeting.&nbsp;

This comes as in the past four days, Pawar's nephew, Ajit Pawar, adopted a differing line and he batted at electing a new party chief.

However, Ajit Pawar is yet to comment on the fresh development and as per reports, he is likely to meet 83-year-old Sharad Pawar later in the day.

Ever since Pawar dropped his bombshell on the national political horizon, the NCP has been in turmoil with protests, hunger strikes, appeals and letters written in blood, a flood of lower-level resignations, and more, all to get him to undo his move.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut too welcomed the Nationalist Congress Party decision rejecting Sharad Pawar's resignation and said that "it was on anticipated lines."

"There's no alternative to Pawar Saheb...The NCP committee's decision is correct," said Raut.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his resignation as party chief and said he is no longer stepping down. "I'm taking my decision back," he announced at a press conference.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his resignation as party chief and said he is no longer stepping down. "I'm taking my decision back," he announced at a press conference. Pawar, who sprang a surprise by announcing his resignation three days ago, said he could not disrespect the sentiments of colleagues and party workers. “I cannot disrespect their feelings. I am overwhelmed by the love, trust and faith showered on me. Considering the appeals made by all of you, and honouring the decision of the committee constituted by the party, I am withdrawing my decision to retire.” He also stressed that there has to be a "succession plan" for any post or responsibility in an organisation and that he will focus on creating new leadership. Also read | India: Sharad Pawar resigns as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief he decision comes after the party unanimously rejected his resignation and asked him to continue in his post. The decision, along expected lines, was taken at a meeting of the special committee set up by Pawar to name his successor following his dramatic May 2 announcement of stepping down as party head. The committee also resolved that it was unable to elect another president in Pawar's place and that it requested him to continue until his term ends. It further indicated that the party was fully united under him vis-à-vis recent speculation of a possible split. NCP Vice-President Praful M Patel, the convenor of the said committee, while addressing a media conference said that the panel's decision on two resolutions — first rejecting Pawar's resignation and the other urging him to continue as party chief — shall be conveyed to the senior leader for his final call in the matter. The resolutions as per Patil were passed in tune with everybody's expectations. A team of senior leaders met Pawar and conveyed the resolutions to him. As per IANS, the official decision once announced was met with thunderous applause, cheers, and even tears of relief. Party rank-and-file gathered outside the NCP headquarters reportedly broke into song and dance. Watch | Sharad Pawar announces his resignation, NCP workers protests outside office Patel said that the entire party made its sentiments clear on Pawar's decision to quit and that the views were "again" put forth at the committee meeting. This comes as in the past four days, Pawar's nephew, Ajit Pawar, adopted a differing line and he batted at electing a new party chief. However, Ajit Pawar is yet to comment on the fresh development and as per reports, he is likely to meet 83-year-old Sharad Pawar later in the day. Ever since Pawar dropped his bombshell on the national political horizon, the NCP has been in turmoil with protests, hunger strikes, appeals and letters written in blood, a flood of lower-level resignations, and more, all to get him to undo his move. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut too welcomed the Nationalist Congress Party decision rejecting Sharad Pawar's resignation and said that "it was on anticipated lines." "There's no alternative to Pawar Saheb...The NCP committee's decision is correct," said Raut. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

NCP chief Sharad Pawar withdraws resignation, says ‘taking back my decision’

Sharad Pawar, a senior political figure in India, said on Tuesday (May 2) that he will step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). But Pawar further added that he is not retiring from public life as a party worker and leaders demanded him to withdraw the decision. &nbsp;

Pawar, a &nbsp;four-time chief minister of the Indian state of Maharashtra, also announced a panel of senior party leaders to outline a future course of action. He has served as the union defence and agriculture minister.&nbsp;

"I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," Pawar said at a press briefing, news agency PTI reported. The announcement received loud reactions from the gathering. Pawar was speaking at a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | "I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," says NCP chief Sharad Pawar <a href="https://t.co/tTiO8aCAcK">pic.twitter.com/tTiO8aCAcK</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1653300033721335808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He was a vital cog in bringing together an unlikely coalition of the NCP, Congress and then the ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Sharad Pawar, a senior political figure in India, said on Tuesday (May 2) that he will step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). But Pawar further added that he is not retiring from public life as a party worker and leaders demanded him to withdraw the decision.

Sharad Pawar, a senior political figure in India, said on Tuesday (May 2) that he will step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). But Pawar further added that he is not retiring from public life as a party worker and leaders demanded him to withdraw the decision. Pawar, a four-time chief minister of the Indian state of Maharashtra, also announced a panel of senior party leaders to outline a future course of action. He has served as the union defence and agriculture minister. "I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," Pawar said at a press briefing, news agency PTI reported. The announcement received loud reactions from the gathering. Pawar was speaking at a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan. #WATCH | "I am resigning from the post of the national president of NCP," says NCP chief Sharad Pawar pic.twitter.com/tTiO8aCAcK — ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023 × He was a vital cog in bringing together an unlikely coalition of the NCP, Congress and then the ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Sharad Pawar resigns as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief

A pre-poll alliance not able to form the government despite securing an absolute majority raises several questions over the principles on which the coalition was built. This does not augur well for the functioning of democracy as the message going down to the masses is that more than the good governance; the alliance was largely interested in the power and pelf. What should have taken just a day for the BJP and Shiv Sena to form a government in Maharashtra has stretched almost to a fortnight with both the parties struggling to come to terms since the election results were announced.

The two parties have been sharing love-hate relationship since they entered into an alliance first in 1989 for the Lok Sabha as well as Maharashtra state elections. The bromance did not last long and both the parties parted ways in 2014 over bitter differences regarding seat sharing. Both the BJP and Shiv Sena went to polls independently with none garnering enough seats to form a government on its own. Shiv Sena, which misread the pulse of the voters, contested in 282 of the 288 assembly seats winning only 63. The BJP, which contested lesser number of seats (260), emerged as the single largest party winning 122 seats. The Sena, which had then claimed to play the role of the opposition, soon had a change of heart and within two months kissed and patched up with the BJP to join the government in the state in December 2014.

Then again in January 2018, Shiv Sena raised the banner of revolt and announced to contest all future elections, including the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Maharashtra assembly elections, alone. But by the time the 2019 general elections approached, it made a U-turn and announced the alliance with the BJP in February 2019 for the general elections as well as Maharashtra state assembly elections despite publicly huffing and puffing. In fact, Shiv Sena has been the shrillest opposition of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the last few years with its leaders questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi government at the centre and Devendra Fadnavis in the state over several issues. If the Shiv Sena revels in acting as an opposition party despite being in the government, it should have fought the elections independently and not enter into an unholy nexus.

Shiv Sena, which largely draws its strength from the Maratha community, has failed to replicate its success in 1995 when it contested 169 seats and won 73. It has not been able to penetrate in rural areas where its success rate is not too impressive. But it is driven by personal ambition to rule the state on its own. This explains the reason behind Shiv Sena’s demand for a 50:50 formula and rotation of chief minister post even though it won almost half of the seats in comparison to the BJP in the just-concluded elections. While the BJP bagged 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56, closely followed by National Congress Party (54) and the Congress 44 seats.

Though both the parties together have 161 seats, way past the half-way mark of 144, the Sena is playing hardball by demanding an equal share in the ministry besides the chief ministerial post for half the term largely due to the BJP’s tally dipping from 122 in the last assembly elections. With November 9 being the deadline by which time the government has to be sworn in otherwise the state will be headed to President’s rule, it remains to be seen which of the two saffron parties blinks first or will they go separate ways.

Politics is an unfamiliar territory where strange bedfellows become welcome friends. With so much of heartburn and mud-slinging from both sides, who knows Shiv Sena may well spring a surprise and realise its dream by coaxing the NCP and Congress to do the unimaginable. Only time will tell.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A pre-poll alliance not able to form the government despite securing an absolute majority raises several questions over the principles on which the coalition was built.

A pre-poll alliance not able to form the government despite securing an absolute majority raises several questions over the principles on which the coalition was built. This does not augur well for the functioning of democracy as the message going down to the masses is that more than the good governance; the alliance was largely interested in the power and pelf. What should have taken just a day for the BJP and Shiv Sena to form a government in Maharashtra has stretched almost to a fortnight with both the parties struggling to come to terms since the election results were announced. The two parties have been sharing love-hate relationship since they entered into an alliance first in 1989 for the Lok Sabha as well as Maharashtra state elections. The bromance did not last long and both the parties parted ways in 2014 over bitter differences regarding seat sharing. Both the BJP and Shiv Sena went to polls independently with none garnering enough seats to form a government on its own. Shiv Sena, which misread the pulse of the voters, contested in 282 of the 288 assembly seats winning only 63. The BJP, which contested lesser number of seats (260), emerged as the single largest party winning 122 seats. The Sena, which had then claimed to play the role of the opposition, soon had a change of heart and within two months kissed and patched up with the BJP to join the government in the state in December 2014. Then again in January 2018, Shiv Sena raised the banner of revolt and announced to contest all future elections, including the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Maharashtra assembly elections, alone. But by the time the 2019 general elections approached, it made a U-turn and announced the alliance with the BJP in February 2019 for the general elections as well as Maharashtra state assembly elections despite publicly huffing and puffing. In fact, Shiv Sena has been the shrillest opposition of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the last few years with its leaders questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi government at the centre and Devendra Fadnavis in the state over several issues. If the Shiv Sena revels in acting as an opposition party despite being in the government, it should have fought the elections independently and not enter into an unholy nexus. Shiv Sena, which largely draws its strength from the Maratha community, has failed to replicate its success in 1995 when it contested 169 seats and won 73. It has not been able to penetrate in rural areas where its success rate is not too impressive. But it is driven by personal ambition to rule the state on its own. This explains the reason behind Shiv Sena’s demand for a 50:50 formula and rotation of chief minister post even though it won almost half of the seats in comparison to the BJP in the just-concluded elections. While the BJP bagged 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56, closely followed by National Congress Party (54) and the Congress 44 seats. Though both the parties together have 161 seats, way past the half-way mark of 144, the Sena is playing hardball by demanding an equal share in the ministry besides the chief ministerial post for half the term largely due to the BJP’s tally dipping from 122 in the last assembly elections. With November 9 being the deadline by which time the government has to be sworn in otherwise the state will be headed to President’s rule, it remains to be seen which of the two saffron parties blinks first or will they go separate ways. Politics is an unfamiliar territory where strange bedfellows become welcome friends. With so much of heartburn and mud-slinging from both sides, who knows Shiv Sena may well spring a surprise and realise its dream by coaxing the NCP and Congress to do the unimaginable. Only time will tell. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Maharashtra government formation: The changing equations between BJP and Shiv Sena

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, an old warhorse of Indian politics, has been named in an enforcement case investigation report filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Rs 25,000 crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam case. His nephew Ajit Pawar is also an accused in the case.&nbsp;

Sharad Pawar has called it vendetta politics before the state polls due next month and thundered that like Shivaji, he won’t bow down to the powers in Delhi.

NCP is fighting for survival with its back to the wall. The party is facing a mass exodus of leaders. Almost daily, there is news of this or that MLA, MLC, corporator, senior leader leaving the party and joining either BJP or the Shiv Sena.&nbsp;

NCP was formed in May 1999 by Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma, and Tariq Anwar after they were expelled from the Congress for opposing Italian Sonia Gandhi’s ascendancy to party president post. Sangma left the party in 2012, while Tariq Anwar quit last year and returned to the Congress.&nbsp;

The party didn’t have a base of its own. The Congress split down the line from the top to the bottom and many leaders/workers switched loyalties to Pawar. He wasn’t ever able to create a vote bank or support apart from the one enjoyed by the Congress party. The 1999 state elections held within three months of formation of the party threw up a hung verdict.

Pawar allied with Congress to form government in the state, the same party that he had left three months ago.

The Congress-NCP alliance went on to rule the state for 15 years on the trot. In 2004, NCP got more seats than the Congress; despite that, he offered the Chief Minister’s chair to the grand old party. In effect, the party leaders and workers enjoyed power since the foundation days of the party.

Now NCP is out of power for the last five years and has faced a serious drubbing in two consecutive general elections. The workers are not used to being out of power and it has impacted their status and funding. To add to the woes of the party, the

Maratha voter, its staunchest supporter, has deserted it. The Maratha elite, which is used to be in the corridors of power, has moved to BJP and the Shiv Sena in the last five years.

The party has been accused of espousing the cause of the elite and not the common Marathis, whose exodus to the saffron parties, began much earlier.&nbsp;

BJP is giving tough competition to NCP in its den of western Maharashtra. Western Maharashtra is the second most urbanised region after Mumbai-Thane. Its GDP per capita is second only to Mumbai-Thane.

While NCP won half of its tally from this region in 2014 state elections, BJP finished ahead of the party bagging 25 seats versus 19 of NCP. Urban centres have traditionally supported the BJP across the country.&nbsp;

NCP has been reduced to a party of Pawars, Patils, Naiks, Bhujbals and Ranes. Dynastic politics has plagued the party. In new India where youth are rejecting such politics, NCP is struggling to cope up with this phenomenon.

Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sharad Pawar, who is considered his heir, is already 60. He is brash and arrogant, not liked by many senior leaders. The recent exodus is partly because of his autocratic style of functioning. Many NCP leaders do not want to work alongside him.

Many corruption cases have tied him down. His son Parth unsuccessfully contested the general elections early this year.

While Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule is popular in her constituency and is slowly making her mark in Parliament in matters of woman and child development, she doesn’t enjoy the same mass connect as her father.

NCP is essentially a party of regional landlords, powerful sugar lobby and cooperative societies (who arranged &amp; managed the votes in their constituencies) with little or no direct connection with the voters.

Even Pawar is aware that NCP is politically shrinking. At this age, he is touring the state drumming up support for the UPA after having bargained for an equal number of seats with Congress. Time is ticking fast on the clock of the party! 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the<a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-pawar-ncp-face-an-existential-crisis-like-never-before-2793357"> original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, an old warhorse of Indian politics, has been named in an enforcement case investigation report filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Rs 25,000 crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam case.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, an old warhorse of Indian politics, has been named in an enforcement case investigation report filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Rs 25,000 crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam case. His nephew Ajit Pawar is also an accused in the case. Sharad Pawar has called it vendetta politics before the state polls due next month and thundered that like Shivaji, he won’t bow down to the powers in Delhi. NCP is fighting for survival with its back to the wall. The party is facing a mass exodus of leaders. Almost daily, there is news of this or that MLA, MLC, corporator, senior leader leaving the party and joining either BJP or the Shiv Sena. NCP was formed in May 1999 by Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma, and Tariq Anwar after they were expelled from the Congress for opposing Italian Sonia Gandhi’s ascendancy to party president post. Sangma left the party in 2012, while Tariq Anwar quit last year and returned to the Congress. The party didn’t have a base of its own. The Congress split down the line from the top to the bottom and many leaders/workers switched loyalties to Pawar. He wasn’t ever able to create a vote bank or support apart from the one enjoyed by the Congress party. The 1999 state elections held within three months of formation of the party threw up a hung verdict. Pawar allied with Congress to form government in the state, the same party that he had left three months ago. The Congress-NCP alliance went on to rule the state for 15 years on the trot. In 2004, NCP got more seats than the Congress; despite that, he offered the Chief Minister’s chair to the grand old party. In effect, the party leaders and workers enjoyed power since the foundation days of the party. Now NCP is out of power for the last five years and has faced a serious drubbing in two consecutive general elections. The workers are not used to being out of power and it has impacted their status and funding. To add to the woes of the party, the Maratha voter, its staunchest supporter, has deserted it. The Maratha elite, which is used to be in the corridors of power, has moved to BJP and the Shiv Sena in the last five years. The party has been accused of espousing the cause of the elite and not the common Marathis, whose exodus to the saffron parties, began much earlier. BJP is giving tough competition to NCP in its den of western Maharashtra. Western Maharashtra is the second most urbanised region after Mumbai-Thane. Its GDP per capita is second only to Mumbai-Thane. While NCP won half of its tally from this region in 2014 state elections, BJP finished ahead of the party bagging 25 seats versus 19 of NCP. Urban centres have traditionally supported the BJP across the country. NCP has been reduced to a party of Pawars, Patils, Naiks, Bhujbals and Ranes. Dynastic politics has plagued the party. In new India where youth are rejecting such politics, NCP is struggling to cope up with this phenomenon. Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sharad Pawar, who is considered his heir, is already 60. He is brash and arrogant, not liked by many senior leaders. The recent exodus is partly because of his autocratic style of functioning. Many NCP leaders do not want to work alongside him. Many corruption cases have tied him down. His son Parth unsuccessfully contested the general elections early this year. While Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule is popular in her constituency and is slowly making her mark in Parliament in matters of woman and child development, she doesn’t enjoy the same mass connect as her father. NCP is essentially a party of regional landlords, powerful sugar lobby and cooperative societies (who arranged & managed the votes in their constituencies) with little or no direct connection with the voters. Even Pawar is aware that NCP is politically shrinking. At this age, he is touring the state drumming up support for the UPA after having bargained for an equal number of seats with Congress. Time is ticking fast on the clock of the party! (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Sharad Pawar, NCP face an existential crisis like never before

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has said he will not contest <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-to-stretch-out-for-over-a-month-from-april-11-to-may-19-results-on-may-23-202404">the 2019 Lok Sabha polls</a>.&nbsp;

"I thought that already two members of my family are contesting polls this time and hence I felt this is right time to take decision to not contest since I already have contested 14 times in the past," Pawar said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
NCP Chief Sharad Pawar: I thought that already two members of my family are contesting polls this time and hence I felt this is right time to take decision to not contest since I already have contested 14 times in the past <a href="https://t.co/Q7ElDQqXte">pic.twitter.com/Q7ElDQqXte</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1105045333783052296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Pawar is president of the Nationalist Congress Party which he founded in 1999 after breaking away from the Congress

He is currently a Rajya Sabha member of parliament, and leader of his party in the upper house.&nbsp;

Pawar has been chief minister of Maharashtra three times. He has also been a union minister of defence and agriculture.&nbsp;

Pawar was on Monday asked if he was not contesting the upcoming polls because <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/party-getting-maximum-seats-will-claim-pms-post-says-sharad-pawar-161885">he was worried he might be beaten</a>.

"I have successfully faced 14 elections. Do you think a fifteenth will deter me?" the news agency PTI quoted Pawar as replying.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has said he will not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "I thought that already two members of my family are contesting polls this time and hence I felt this is right time to take decision to not contest since I already have contested 14 times in the past," Pawar said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has said he will not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "I thought that already two members of my family are contesting polls this time and hence I felt this is right time to take decision to not contest since I already have contested 14 times in the past," Pawar said. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar: I thought that already two members of my family are contesting polls this time and hence I felt this is right time to take decision to not contest since I already have contested 14 times in the past pic.twitter.com/Q7ElDQqXte — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019 × Pawar is president of the Nationalist Congress Party which he founded in 1999 after breaking away from the Congress He is currently a Rajya Sabha member of parliament, and leader of his party in the upper house. Pawar has been chief minister of Maharashtra three times. He has also been a union minister of defence and agriculture. Pawar was on Monday asked if he was not contesting the upcoming polls because he was worried he might be beaten. "I have successfully faced 14 elections. Do you think a fifteenth will deter me?" the news agency PTI quoted Pawar as replying.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar says he will not contest Lok Sabha polls

ncp-chief

Ncp Chief, News on Ncp Chief, stories on Ncp Chief, articles on Ncp Chief, Ncp Chief stories at Wion, Ncp Chief news, Ncp Chief latest news