Sharad Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP and one of the stalwarts of the Opposition on May 2 said he was stepping down as NCP president but was not retiring from public life. The announcement came amid speculation that Ajit Pawar and some MLAs may join hands with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, though the former deputy chief minister has refuted such talk by claiming he will be with the NCP till he is alive.

On Friday, May 5, the NCP committee members will meet to decide on Sharad Pawar's successor. Here are a few highlights of the political meeting to be held today in Mumbai: