NCP veteran Sharad Pawar steps down as party chief
NCP Sharad Pawar has said that he will step down as party chief.
However, he won't retire from active politics
He announced his decision at the launch of his autobiography
It is necessary to take a step back, Pawar said.
It is time for a new generation to guide the party, the NCP veteran said.
He also announced a committee to guide the party
Pawar began his political career with the INC
Under the Congress, Pawar has held several key positions
Pawar resigned from Congress after the party decided to name Sonia Gandhi, a non-Indian, as the party's PM candidate
Pawar founded the NCP in 1999