Mumbai/IBNS: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar's resignation as the party chief was on Friday rejected by his own colleagues leading his supporters to burst into joy and celebrations.

An NCP panel, headed by Praful Patel, has outrightly rejected the resignation and expressed its wish to see Pawar continuing as the top boss.

"Only Pawar can change the country so he should continue," said an NCP supporter speaking to an English news channel.

Earlier this week, Pawar, a four-time Maharashtra Chief Minister and a veteran politician, announced his resignation citing his advanced age. He is 83.

He made the announcement accompanied by his nephew Ajit Pawar at an event of his autobiography's launch in Mumbai.

However, after the NCP leaders' suggestion that he should continue as the NCP chief, Pawar had said he would rethink his decision.

"I made my decision but because of all of you, I will rethink my decision. But I need two to three days and I will give it a thought only if the workers go home.

"Some people have been resigning from party posts too. These resignations should stop," Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar quoted his uncle as saying.