India, June 11 -- Senior Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Jayant Patil on Tuesday indicated his willingness to step down as the Maharashtra state unit president, saying the time had come for the party to give opportunities to new faces.

Patil was addressing party workers at the 26th foundation day function of the NCP (SP) in Pune, where party president Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders were present.

"Pawar Saheb gave me many opportunities. I was given a tenure of seven years. Ultimately, the party needs to give a chance to new faces. I will request Sharad Pawar in front of you all-after all, the party belongs to Pawar Saheb. He should take an appropriate decision on this. We have a long way to go," Patil said....