Veteran Indian politician and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar, aged 83, has announced his retirement from active politics. A towering figure in Indian politics, Pawar served as a former senior leader of the Congress Party and held key positions as a Union Minister before founding the NCP in 1999.
Despite battling cancer affecting his mouth and cheek for several years, Pawar remained active in the political sphere. His decision to step down leaves behind unfulfilled aspirations of once again leading Maharashtra and serving in the central government. Often referred to as the “grand old man” of Maharashtra politics, Pawar made his announcement from his family residence in Baramati, western Maharashtra.
“I will not contest for power anymore. I have a year and a half remaining in my Rajya Sabha term. After that, I will not stand for any future elections,” he declared.
Pawar also extended heartfelt gratitude to the voters of Baramati, who supported him across 14 terms as MP and MLA. His retirement marks the end of a political career that spanned nearly six decades.
