MVA leaders express shock over Pawar's decision, say his presence is needed

Leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA alliance in Maharashtra on Tuesday expressed shock over Sharad Pawars decision to resign as NCP chief and said his guidance was needed at this juncturePawar was instrumental in the formation of the unlikely alliance of his Nationalist Congress Party Congress and their then ideological foe Shiv Sena in 2019Senior state Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said Pawar should not step aside when a new freedom struggle is going onSharad Pawars presence has extraordinary importance when a new battle for freedom is going on in the country to save the Constitution and democracy and in such a situation Pawar should not step aside he saidPrithviraj Chavan a senior Congress leader and former chief minister said the decision has taken everyone by surpriseA lot of party workers and leaders are urging him to reconsider his decision and we have to await the final outcome he saidSanjay Raut Rajya Sabha MP and leader of the Uddhav Thackeayled Shiv Sena who is considered to be close to Pawar said the veteran politician had not retired from politicsLeaders like Pawar never retire from politics or social work This development pertains to their internal party matter and it is not appropriate to comment on it he saidBut the country and state need his guidance and leadership Raut saidHe also said that considering some recent developments it Pawars decision was not unexpectedHe also recalled that Sena founder Bal Thackeray had at one point in the 1990s decided to step down but later changed his mind due to the party cadres insistenceIN PHOTOS Sharad Pawar resigns from post supporters protestRaut also said that the development will not affect the MVAShiv Sena leader Chandrakant Khaire too recalled the episode of Thackerays resignation while stating that Pawars decision was absolutely unexpectedSenior Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan said it was the NCPs internal matterBut personally I would say that Pawar is an experienced politician and it is sad to hear about his announcement when his guidance is needed to handle the current political situation he saidSaroj Patil Pawars sister and wife of late Peasants and Workers Party leader N D Patil said the decision was a big jolt to everyonePeople are cryingHe has announced the decision at a time when there is an atmosphere of anarchism and anxiety a question is being asked whether democracy will survive or not a rift is being created between communities she addedPawar is needed when there is a danger of ED Enforcement Directorate actions the Constitution is in peril and there is no opposition leader who is as strong Patil saidShe noted that Pawars health was important and he wanted to create alternative leadershipThis reasoning is also true but he should create leadership before leaving the position Patil addedNCP Member of Legislative Council Satish Chavan said he felt that Pawar will rethink his decisionLeader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council and Shiv Sena UBT leader Ambadas Danve said Pawar and NCP were not two separate thingsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever