Sharad Pawar

Coming down specially to meet the protesting NCP activists outside the Y.B. Chavan Memorial Auditorium, he said that he has the highest regards for the sentiments of his party workers. "I respect your emotions... I should have discussed my plans with all of you. But I knew you wouldn't have permitted me to take the decision," said Pawar.

The sudden announcement was greeted with shock, disbelief, bursting into tears and hundreds protesting at Pawar's move, demanding that he withdraw it. However, Pawar, flanked by his wife Pratibha, appeared to be grimly determined and declared: "I know when to stop... I have set up a committee of senior NCP leaders who will decide on the next president."

"There's no truth in the talks about Ajit Pawar... He has not called any (MLAs) meetings today... We are all working unitedly to strengthen the NCP," Pawar said when besieged by mediapersons. "What's in your mind is not in our thoughts," added Pawar for added effect, amid unconfirmed reports claiming that Ajit Pawar commands the.

After the meeting at Kharge's residence, Gandhi said: "We are united", while Pawar advocated larger unity among opposition parties. "I want that there should be talks with leaders of all opposition parties including Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal. We should talk to them and move forward, taking everyone along, to unite the opposition," he said.

Thackeray, along with party MP Sanjay Raut, had rushed to meet Pawar after his remarks to a private TV channel that sparked off huge speculation of fissures in the MVA and its possible repercussions. Among other things, Pawar had claimed to the TV channel that Thackeray did not consult the MVA allies before quitting as the Chief Minister in June 2022, that set political tongues wagging.

Appearing to relent, Pawar on Tuesday told a private television channel that he would not "oppose" an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee if his colleagues (alliance partners) felt it is necessary. "A friend's opinion could be different from mine, but we have to be united on this... I expressed my views. But if colleagues feel that a JPC probe is needed, I will not oppose it.

After Pawar's comments to a private Marathi TV channel, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut rushed to meet the NCP chief at the latter's home late on Tuesday night. What transpired in the 75-minute long meeting is still not clear, though the NCP promptly released photos of Pawar, MP Supriya Sule, Thackeray and Raut, all looking cheerful and relaxed.

"I feel that instead of a JPC, a Supreme Court-appointed commission is more reliable and independent," Pawar said. Amid all these developments, taking the first step to unite the Opposition parties, Kharge recently rang leaders of various like-minded parties, including DMK's M.K. Stalin , Nitish Kumar.

The senior leader also frowned at the manner in which the names of industrialists like Ambani-Adani were being tossed around to target the BJP government at the Centre instead of bigger issues like inflation, unemployment and farmers.Clarifying his stance after the ruckus following his comments to a TV channel on Friday, Pawar said he was not opposed to the JPC probe, but if the Committee comprises 21 members, then 15 would be from the ruling side and the remaining six from the Opposition side.

Justifying his stand, Pawar said: "It is a common sense that the JPC will have more members from the ruling party (BJP) since it has an overwhelming majority in Parliament. Hence, in terms of effect, the JPC would not be a balanced panel as against the Supreme Court appointed committee which has independent experts."