The sudden resignation of Sharad Pawar as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief has shocked his party and his Maharashtra allies, the Congress and Uddhav Thackeray. The veteran politician made the announcement during the launch of his autobiography, leaving party leaders in a state of distress. However, hours later, amidst the dramatic show of concern from the party workers, Sharad Pawar agreed to “rethink” and said he needed “two-three days”. This article aims to analyze the situation, its potential impact on national politics, and the future of the NCP.
Sharad Pawar’s Surprise Resignation
Sharad Pawar, who is 82 years old, announced his resignation from the NCP at the launch of his autobiography. The announcement was made in the presence of his wife, daughter, and nephew, Ajit Pawar. The decision took everyone by surprise, including the party members, who crowded the stage in shock and disbelief. Some leaders wept, while many others said that they would stay put unless Sharad Pawar changed his mind.
Ajit Pawar’s Reaction
Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s political heir, was the only leader who appeared to accept the decision and talk about the future. His recent moves had triggered speculation that he might split the party and join hands with the BJP. However, Ajit Pawar told party members that he believed Sharad Pawar’s decision was in the light of his age and health, and that everyone had to take a decision according to time. He also assured the members that the next president would work under Sharad Pawar’s guidance.
The Reversal
By evening, Ajit Pawar had another message from his uncle. Sharad Pawar said that he would rethink his decision, but he needed two to three days to do so. He added that he would give it a thought only if the workers went back to their houses and that the resignations from party posts should stop. Sources believe that Sharad Pawar could appoint a working president and continue as the chief of the party he founded in 1999, after quitting the Congress.
You might also like
Impact on the Political Landscape
With his resignation shocker, Sharad Pawar has once again shown that he has complete control over the party, a message that had to go out at a time when there are rumors about his nephew trying to organize a rebellion and defections. The move to give up his post re-establishes Mr. Pawar’s stature as an elder statesman, not just in his party but also in the opposition verse.
The impact of an NCP shake-up will go beyond the party to the unimaginable, ideologically disparate alliance that Mr. Pawar strung together in 2019, enabling a Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition to come to power. Last year, Uddhav Thackeray lost power after a coup in his party led by Eknath Shinde, who tied up with the BJP. The opposition coalition is on the shakier ground now, completely dependent as it is on Mr. Pawar, the glue.
Mr. Pawar, one of India’s most astute politicians and a veteran of many coalitions over a six-decade career, is also a prime mover in opposition unity attempts ahead of the 2024 national election. The outcome of the NCP crisis could have a much bigger impact on national politics.
In conclusion, Sharad Pawar’s resignation as NCP chief took the political world by surprise and triggered a dramatic show of distress from his party members. However, within hours, he agreed to “rethink” his decision, highlighting his control over the party and re-establishing his stature as an elder statesman. The impact of a potential NCP shake-up extends beyond the party to the ideologically disparate alliance that Pawar strung together in 2019, enabling a Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition to come to power. The opposition coalition is now completely dependent on Mr. Pawar’s glue. With his resignation, Mr. Pawar will have more room to corral opposition parties and attempt to unify them ahead of the 2024 national election. The outcome of the NCP crisis could have a significant impact on national politics. It remains to be seen what decision Mr. Pawar will make after the two-three days he has requested.
Source: NDTV
