Maharashtra: Jitendra Awhad resigns as NCP general secretary, day after Sharad Pawar steps down as party chief

On May 3, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA and former Minister for Housing of Maharashtra Jitendra Awhad quit the National General Secretary post after NCP’s founding President Sharad Pawar announced his resignation and retirement from electoral politics at the launch of the second part of his autobiography ‘Lok Maze Sangati.’ Sharad Pawar said, “I have decided to step down as the president of the NCP.”

Jitendra Awhad said, “I have resigned from my post of National General Secretary and I have sent my resignation to NCP chief Sharad Pawar. All office bearers of Thane NCP have also resigned after Pawar Saheb’s announcement (to resign from the post of party chief),” while speaking to the media.

It is pertinent to note Sharad Pawar’s resignation has caused a major emotional stir among the NCP members, with thousands of NCP workers, supporters and leaders requesting him to reconsider his decision. NCP MLAs Chhagan Bhujbal, Jitendra Awhad and NCP leader and former Home Minister of Maharashtra Dilip Walse Patil have also tried to convince Sharad Pawar.

Sharad Pawar founded NCP in 1999 and has helmed it for the past 24 years. His resignation affirms NCP leader and Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar’s statement, who earlier said, “Pawar Saheb himself had said about the necessity of change in guard a few days back.”

Sharad Pawar announced that he would no longer contest elections after completing his Rajya Sabha tenure. He claimed that he would concentrate more on issues concerning the state and India. He said, “I have three-year tenure remaining in Rajya Sabha. I will not contest elections henceforth. In these three years, I will concentrate more on issues concerning to state and the country. I will not take any additional responsibilities. I started my political career on May 1, 1960. Yesterday we celebrated May Day. After this prolonged political career, one must think about stopping somewhere. One must not be greedy. I will never take the position of sticking to a post after so many years. Therefore, you might feel uneasy. But I have decided to retire from the post of the NCP chief.”

However, Sharad Pawar has clarified that his retirement from electoral politics does not mean he is taking a backseat from public life. He said, “Even though I am stepping down from the post of president, I am not retiring from public life. Constant travel has become an integral part of my life. I will continue attending public events, and meetings. Whether in Pune, Mumbai, Baramati, Delhi or any other part of India, I will be available to all of you as usual. I will continue to work round the clock to solve the people’s problems.”