I’ll Not Be Opposition Candidate For President’s Post: Sharad Pawar
Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has said that he’s not in the race for the Presidential election scheduled to be held on July 18, a report said. The remarks came amid moves to arrive at a consensus for an Opposition-backed candidate for the upcoming Presidential Elections.
“I am not in the race. I will not be an Opposition candidate for the President’s post,” Pawar, 81, is reported to have said at a meeting of NCP Cabinet ministers yesterday.
Pawar’s remarks came after the Congress in Maharashtra said it would support the NCP chief for the presidency. AAP’s Sanjay Singh also met Pawar on Sunday amid discussions on the issue of Presidential elections.
Today, Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil confirmed that Pawar had pulled himself out of the race yesterday.
“No discussion on this yesterday. All leaders are meeting in Delhi today. When leaders of all parties meet, a decision will definitely be taken. Pawar Sahab had yesterday clarified that he won’t be a candidate,” news agency ANI quoted Patil as saying on the issue of Presidential Polls.
However, reports said the NCP chief has yet to formally respond to the Congress proposal.
It is reported that apart from the Congress, Shiv Sena too – the third party in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra – wants Pawar to be the opposition’s unanimous candidate for the post of President.
Congress’ message to Pawar was given by party leader Mallikarjun Kharge last Thursday. Sources said the latter met Pawar at his residence in Mumbai and conveyed Sonia Gandhi’s message.
The issue of the Presidential Election is likely to come up for discussion at the meeting.
The Presidential Election will be held on July 18 and if necessary, counting will take place three days later on July 21. Incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind’s tenure comes to an end on July 24.
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