Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he has decided to step down as the party chief.

Speaking at a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan here, Pawar announced his decision which was met with protests by NCP workers and leaders.

“I have decided to step down as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party,” he said.

Pawar also announced a panel of senior party leaders to draw a future course of action.

Party workers and leaders, however, demanded that Pawar withdraw his decision. They threatened not to leave the venue unless he rescinds his decision.

Vice-President of NCP Praful Patel said that Pawar did not take anyone into confidence before announcing resignation. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, the nephew of the party chief said that Sharad Pawar will abide by decision of NCP committee on his resignation.

A four-time Maharashtra chief minister, who served as Union Defence and Agriculture minister, Pawar was instrumental in stitching together an unlikely coalition of the NCP, Congress, and then ideologically opposite Shiv Sena to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

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