<p>Mumbai: Coinciding with the 26th foundation day, veteran politician Jayant Patil expressed desire to step down as Maharashtra unit president of Sharad Pawar-headed NCP (SP).</p><p>Patil is a close confidante of Pawar. </p><p>Patil, who had held important portfolios in the erstwhile Democratic Front and Maha Vikas Aghadi governments, has been state chief for close to seven years. </p><p>However, neither Pawar nor NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule had commented on the request of Patil, an eight-time MLA.</p>.Never thought NCP would split, appreciate workers for taking it ahead despite challenges: Sharad Pawar.<p>”Pawar Saheb gave me a lot of opportunities. He gave me a period of seven years. Finally, the party needs to give a chance to new faces. I will request you in front of all of you to give a chance to new people. Finally, the party belongs to Pawar Saheb. Pawar Saheb should take the right decision on this. We have to go a long way,” Patil said speaking at the Balgandharva Rang Mandir in Pune.</p><p>However, as soon as Patil made the statement, party workers urged him not to step down. </p><p>Patil, who was appointed the state unit chief of NCP in 2018 had sailed through the June-July 2023 split and had managed to retain several people from going to the NCP now led by Ajit Pawar, who is the NCP President and Deputy Chief Minister. </p><p>It may be mentioned, there have been reports that two-time MLA Rohit Pawar is keen to take up a bigger role in the party. </p>
<p>Mumbai: Coinciding with the 26th foundation day, veteran politician Jayant Patil expressed desire to step down as Maharashtra unit president of Sharad Pawar-headed NCP (SP).</p><p>Patil is a close confidante of Pawar. </p><p>Patil, who had held important portfolios in the erstwhile Democratic Front and Maha Vikas Aghadi governments, has been state chief for close to seven years. </p><p>However, neither Pawar nor NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule had commented on the request of Patil, an eight-time MLA.</p>.Never thought NCP would split, appreciate workers for taking it ahead despite challenges: Sharad Pawar.<p>”Pawar Saheb gave me a lot of opportunities. He gave me a period of seven years. Finally, the party needs to give a chance to new faces. I will request you in front of all of you to give a chance to new people. Finally, the party belongs to Pawar Saheb. Pawar Saheb should take the right decision on this. We have to go a long way,” Patil said speaking at the Balgandharva Rang Mandir in Pune.</p><p>However, as soon as Patil made the statement, party workers urged him not to step down. </p><p>Patil, who was appointed the state unit chief of NCP in 2018 had sailed through the June-July 2023 split and had managed to retain several people from going to the NCP now led by Ajit Pawar, who is the NCP President and Deputy Chief Minister. </p><p>It may be mentioned, there have been reports that two-time MLA Rohit Pawar is keen to take up a bigger role in the party. </p>