The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief, Sharad Pawar, in a significant development, has announced the appointment of Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as the working presidents. This decision comes as part of Pawar's efforts to foster new leadership within the party, following his earlier offer to resign as the NCP president. The announcement was made during the NCP's 25th-anniversary celebration, where Pawar, accompanied by Ajit Pawar, unveiled the party's future plans.
Appointment of Supriya Sule and Praful Patel
Supriya Sule and Praful Patel have been entrusted with the responsibilities of working presidents within the NCP. Praful Patel expressed his contentment with the elevation, acknowledging his long-standing association with Pawar and stating that he would continue working to expand the party's influence. Furthermore, Pawar designated Patel as the party in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Goa, and Rajya Sabha.
Supriya Sule, on the other hand, has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing NCP affairs in Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, and addressing issues related to women, youth, students, and the Lok Sabha. With these appointments, the NCP aims to streamline its operations and divide the workload effectively, especially with the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on the horizon.
Pawar's Decision to Withdraw Resignation
After initially offering his resignation, Sharad Pawar withdrew the decision following unanimous rejection by an 18-member committee of senior party leaders. Pawar, emphasizing the importance of the people's support, expressed his gratitude for their love, trust, and faith. He acknowledged the significance of the committee's decision and the appeals made by party members, ultimately leading to the retraction of his retirement plans.
Focus on Organizational Changes and Leadership Succession
While continuing in his role as president, Pawar stressed the need for a succession plan within the NCP. He emphasized his intention to concentrate on making organizational changes, assigning new responsibilities, and cultivating fresh leadership. Pawar's vision aims to ensure a smooth transition and prepare the party for future challenges.
Reactions and Other Party Perspective
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal explained that the appointment of Sule and Patel as working presidents was intended to distribute election-related and parliamentary responsibilities effectively. Given the proximity of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, additional responsibilities have been assigned to both leaders. In response to these developments, Pravin Darekar, BJP's leader in the state legislative council, observed that Sharad Pawar's choice of Supriya Sule as his political heir indicated a preference for her leadership. Darekar also acknowledged Ajit Pawar's significant contributions to building the organization, suggesting that this decision might have caused disappointment for him.
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