A DAY after Sharad Pawar announced his decision to step down as the NCP President, senior party leaders held a discussion here on Wednesday on the road ahead, even as Chhagan Bhujbal said, Pawar’s daughter and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule was ideal for a “national role”. An NCP worker from Pune wrote a letter in blood, appealing to Pawar to withdraw his decision and not make him and several other party workers “orphan”. Pawar was present at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai where the NCP leaders held the discussion informally, but he did not attend the meet. Before the discussion, Bhujbal told reporters he was of the view that Supriya Sule was ideal for a “national role” as she has a good grasp of issues. “She has been doing well asaparliamentarian.Sothere will be no problemon deciding the new (NCP) President. AjitPawar shouldhandlethe responsibility of the State (Maharashtra). The division of work is already there,” he said. Pawar (82) on Tuesday droppedabombshellbysaying, he is stepping down as chief of the NCP which he founded and helmed since 1999, but not retiring from public life. Theannouncement,made at an event, stumped leaders and workers of the 24- year-old party, and many were seen crying and pleadingwiththeMaratha strongman to reconsider his decision.

 

Bhujbal on Wednesday said Pawar’s announcement to step down as the NCPchief cameasa shocktoeveryone. “We will persuade him to withdraw his decision,” he said. After the meeting of NCP leaders, Bhujbal said, therewasnomeetingassuch of a committee, formed by Sharad Pawar to decide on his successor. Another NCP leader Jitendra Awhad claimed Sharad Pawarwas“Bhishma Pitamah” (a character from Mahabharata) of the political and social movements in the state. AwhadonWednesdaysubmitted his resignation from hispostastheparty’sGeneral Secretary, a day after party supremo Sharad Pawar announced his decision to step down as its President. “I have resigned from my post of National General Secretary and I have sentmy resignation to Sharad Pawar Saheb. All office bearers of Thane NCP have also resigned after Pawar Saheb’s announcement”, Jitendra Awhad said