Opposition unity or rebellion: What weighed on Sharad Pawar’s mind

NCP boss, Sharad Pawar decided to withdraw his resignation four days after he made the announcement.

Amidst much drama, a committee had been formed to decide on the succession plan within the Maharashtra based party. However on Friday, it was decided that Pawar's resignation was being rejected. They conveyed it to him and Pawar decided to change his decision.

Sources tell OneIndia that it was a well-staged move by Pawar. He never had any intention to resign, but had to do so to put an end to rumours that his nephew Ajit Pawar would break away and join the BJP. This move by Pawar has however managed to quell the rebellion in the party, at least for now, the source added.

Ajit Pawar following the decision by his uncle said that the decision to withdraw the resignation will energise the party.

While many have in the open have maintained that there was no rebellion in the party, it was clear that Ajit Pawar was going to quit the party. It had become quit clear in political circles that a section of the NCP are with Ajit Pawar and were ready to jump ship with him. A political analyst said that while Pawar has managed to quell the rebellion for now, it may not be exactly smooth sailing in the future.

In the political circles of Maharashtra there is quite a bit of buzz of some changes taking place in the days to come.

For now the senior Pawar is focusing on keeping his party united. The other point that he tried to make is that the NCP needs to remain united for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Pawar wants to be the face of the opposition unity ahead of the 2024 polls, sources also said. Had there been a full-blown rebellion in the NCP, it would have created problems for the opposition unity ahead of the 2024 polls, the source also added.

One report said that Pawar had almost decided that he would not take back his resignation. However he was convinced by Tamil Nadu chief minister, M K Stalin and CPM leader Sitaram Yechury.