Senior NCP leaders discuss the future of party, Chhagan Bhujbal suggests Supriya Sule as chief

Mumbai: After NCP founder Sharad Pawar said he will rethink the decision of stepping down from the top post of the party, some party members held a meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the future of the party.

Senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that if Sharad Pawar does not want to continue as president, his daughter Supriya Sule should be National Congress Party's national president. He added that nephew Ajit Pawar should take care of the state, reported NDTV.

Party vice-president Praful Patel, on the other hand, remained hopeful that Sharad Pawar will continue as party chief. He said until Pawar confirms his decision, there will be no discussions on who will be the successor.

"There is no vacancy. Whether Pawar remains president or not, he is the party's identity and soul. If the situation arises, the committee will decide on Pawar's successor and the decision will be unanimous. He sought time to think over his decision after the party asked him to reconsider it, and till the final decision is arrived at, there is no question of deliberating on his successor," he told PTI.

After announcing the decision to step down from the position of party president on Tuesday morning, Sharad Pawar later in the day said he will rethink the decision for two-three days considering the sentiment of his followers. He has also named a committee to choose his successor.

Praful Patel is on the committee but has declared that he will not be trying to get the post of president.