Close on the heels of the Union Power Minister Sushil kumar Shinde’s public statement expressing his wish to retire from active politics, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar has echoed similar sentiments. Speaking at a press conference in Shetful village, where he flagged off the state level election campaign for the party, the Union Agriculture Minister expressed his willingness to make way for the youth in politics.

Pawar said that he was 70 years old and tired of politics now. “The state unit president R R Patil advises me against attending more than 6 meetings for my advancing age. It gives me clear indications that I should retire and I am pondering over it seriously,” Pawar said.

Earlier, Shinde had expressed a wish to retire from active politics at a joint public meeting to flag off the election campaign in Solapur where both Pawar and Shinde were present. Shinde had said that he wanted to give an opportunity to the younger generation in politics, but was forced to contest the parliamentary elections due to pressure from the party high command.

Supriya Sule, the daughter of Sharad Pawar, and Praniti Shinde, the daughter of Sushilkumar Shinde, who is contesting the elections from the Central City Assembly constituency were also present at the public meeting.