Pune, February 21 Only NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar can decide on his Rajya Sabha tenure, his party leader Ankush Kakade said on Saturday.
"We have not received any reports about Pawar saheb retiring from active politics. There has been no discussion on this in party meetings. The decision regarding Pawar saheb's next Rajya Sabha term will be taken solely by him," said Kakade, who is from Pune.
There have been speculations that Pawar (85) may gradually withdraw from active parliamentary politics after completing his current Rajya Sabha term.
The terms of seven Rajya Sabha members, including Pawar, from Maharashtra will expire in April. Rajya Sabha members are elected by MLAs.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and NCP, has 232 MLAs and can potentially win six seats. The combined opposition, including NCP (SP), can only win one seat as it has only 48 MLAs, he said.