NCP leaders, on condition of anonymity, told PTI that Baramati Lok Sabha MP and Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule is likely to be the party’s national chief while Ajit Pawar will take charge of the Maharashtra unit. The leaders have stressed that asserted Sule, a three-term Lok Sabha MP, had established herself as an effective parliamentarian and has good relations with leaders of parties across the political spectrum.

On the other hand, Ajit Pawar has good hold over the state unit and is widely acknowledged as an able administrator, PTI reported.

On Thursday, Sharad Pawar met protesting party workers who have demanded that he reconsider his decision. Pawar said his decision to step down from the post was taken for the future of the party and to create a new leadership.

“I respect your sentiments. I should have discussed my plans with all of you and taken you into confidence. But I know you wouldn’t have allowed me to take the decision (of stepping down as party chief),” the former Union minister told his supporters.

On Tuesday, Pawar said he was stepping down as the chief of NCP, the political outfit he founded and helmed since 1999.

“I have three years of Rajya Sabha membership left, during which I will focus on the issues related to Maharashtra and India, with a caveat of not accepting any responsibility (of party post). After a long period of public life from May 1, 1960, to May 1, 2023, it is necessary to take a step back. Hence, I have decided to step down as president of the Nationalist Congress Party,” Pawar said.

The development came amid rumours about Ajit Pawar drifting towards the BJP. Speculation of Ajit Pawar jumping ship intensified when he skipped a meeting of NCP’s Mumbai unit last month.