MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as the party chief. He announced the decision at the launch of his autobiography in Mumbai. However, he said that he is not retiring from active politics and will continue attending public programmes and meetings.

A panel led by senior leaders like Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Jayant Patil and Anil Deshmukh will take a decision on the new chief. Pawar said that he started his political life on May 1 in 1960. It is time to think about ending a long political career. Pawar said that he has a three-year term in the Rajya Sabha and will not contest the elections again.

However, party workers and leaders requested him to withdraw his decision. They said that they will not leave the venue unless he did so. Pawar played a crucial role in forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. The NCP was formed in 1999 and since then Pawar was the chief. Senior NCP leader Praful Patel said that Pawar announced his resignation without consulting anyone.