NCP (SP) Maharashtra president Jayant Patil on Tuesday hinted at stepping down from the post in the presence of party chief Sharad Pawar, triggering an emotional reaction from workers who urged him to continue, reported news agency PTI.

It is important for the party to give a chance to new faces, Patil said at an event held at Balgandharva Auditorium in Pune on the Nationalist Congress Party's 26th foundation day.

Sharad Pawar, who founded the NCP, was present on the dais.