MUMBAI: Senior leader Sharad Pawar will remain as NCP chief. After heavy pressure from leaders and workers, Sharad Pawar backed down from the resignation announcement that shocked the NCP. His decision to retire as president was unanimously opposed by other party leaders.

A resolution was passed at the party headquarters in Mumbai today rejecting Sharad Pawar's resignation and that he should continue as president. Other opposition leaders also said that Sharad Pawar himself should lead the NCP from the front. Sharad Pawar softened his stance when the entire party was arguing for him.

Sharad Pawar announced his resignation at the launch of the second edition of his autobiography held in Mumbai last night. The unexpected announcement came amid rumors that Ajit Pawar would leave the opposition front comprising the NCP and join the BJP. Senior NCP leader Praful Patel said that Pawar announced his resignation without consulting anyone. With that, news came out that there will be a generational change in the NCP and daughter Supriya Sule will take over as president. NCP leaders and workers were reluctant to support Sharad Pawar's resignation from the start.

Pawar was instrumental in forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. NCP was formed in 1999. Since then Sarat Pawar was holding the post of chairman.