NCP in a huddle after Pawar steps down; uncertainty over successor

A day after Sharad Pawar announced his decision to step down as chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), party leaders on Wednesday huddled up in an attempt to convince him to reconsider his decision, even as a section of them hinted that there was growing consensus in favour of his daughter Supriya Sule to take over the post.

- Faisal Malik

As NCP workers, who were gathered at south Mumbai's YB Chavan Centre, continued to raise slogans demanding withdrawal of his resignation, Pawar met party MLAs and leaders for over three hours at the premises and even held a slew of meetings at his residence 'Silver Oak' in the evening.

In response to an ultimatum by party workers that they will resign from their posts if no decision is taken by May 5, the 83-year-old veteran told reporters: "I will accept whatever decision will be taken by the committee." Pawar was referring to a committee that he had announced, after his resignation, on Tuesday to decide on the next president of the party.

"I took the decision without informing anyone. You would not have allowed me to take the decision if I would have told anyone," he told the protesting workers.

Pawar, one of India's tallest and senior-most political leaders, on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as NCP chief.The development came amid swirling rumours about a section of party leaders breaking away to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra.