Mumbai (PTI): Sharad Pawar on Friday withdrew his decision to step down as NCP president after mounting pressure from shocked party leaders and workers, three days after his announcement that had also put a question mark on opposition unity efforts ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The U-turn by the 82-year-old Maratha strongman known for his deft political manoeuvring also came after what he said that leaders from various political parties across Maharashtra and the country requested him to continue as the party president.

Sharad Pawar's nephew and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who was seen backing his uncle’s decision to step down when he made the dramatic announcement on May 2, was conspicuous by his absence at the Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) supremo's press conference.