New Delhi: After a panel formed by the Nationalist Party Congress (NCP) to find his replacement rejected his resignation, Sharad Pawar on Friday, May 5, said that he would not quit as the party’s president.“I am overwhelmed with the love, trust and faith showered on me. I am withdrawing my resignation,” the 82-year-old leader told the press.“In the future, I will be focussing on making organisational changes in the party [like] assigning new responsibilities in the party. Your continuous support has given me inspiration. I will be grateful to you for having stood by me during my successes and all the challenges of my life. I reiterate that I will continue as the party president,” he said.Pawar had announced three days ago that he will resign and not contest another election.But on Friday, senior NCP leader Praful Patel said in a press conference that a party panel met and decided to ask Pawar to continue as its head, passing a resolution to turn down his resignation.Ajit Pawar, who was seen as his uncle’s heir apparent, was conspicuously absent as the NCP patriarch withdrew his resignation. This was in stark contrast to him being seated next to Sharad Pawar when the latter announced his resignation on May 2.Meanwhile, the party workers who had protested against Pawar’s decision to step down rejoiced after Friday’s announcement by Patel.#WATCH | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers celebrate outside the party office in Mumbai NCP's core committee unanimously passed a proposal today and rejected Sharad Pawar's resignation and requested him to continue as NCP chief. pic.twitter.com/7VpHucZqtR— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2023“We unanimously reject the resignation. We have decided unanimously that we will request him to carry on as party president,” Patel said at the press conference, according to Hindustan Times.Patel also said Pawar had not taken the party into confidence before announcing his decision to resign. This led to party workers feeling hurt and upset.“We had a meeting today after he gave us the responsibility to choose the next party chief. Today, the committee in its meeting has passed a resolution unanimously,” Patel said.The 18-member committee that met today had in it, Patel, along with Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule and other top leaders like Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar, Dilip Walse Patil and Anil Deshmukh.Several opposition leaders had meanwhile asked Pawar to rethink his decision to quit ahead of the Lok Sabha election next year.“With national politics centred around upcoming 2024 General Elections, I request, Thiru Sharad Pawar, one of the tallest leaders, crucial in strengthening secular alliance across India, to reconsider his decision…,” Tamil Nadu chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M.K. Stalin had said.Pawar’s decision to step down was seen as a desperate attempt to prevent a split in the NCP, as speculation was rife that Ajit Pawar was prepared to join hands with the BJP with a section of MLAs.What Sharad Pawar saidApart from thanking party workers and leaders, Sharad Pawar also reaffirmed the NCP’s commitment to the alliance with Shiv Sena and the Congress. “Our commitment to work with the Maha Vikas Aghadi continues. There will be no change in the relationship with the MVA partners,” he said.Asked about Ajit Pawar’s absence by a journalist, the senior Pawar shot back, “When there is a press conference, does every reporter turn up?” He admitted that Ajit Pawar knew about his decision to step down, which caught other leaders in the party unawares.Note: This article was originally published at 12:52 pm on May 5, 2023 and was republished at 6 pm on the same day after Sharad Pawar withdrew his resignation.