RSS chief Bhagwat Bhagwat meets Pranab Mukherjee for lunch

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday hosted a lunch for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) supremo Mohan Bhagwat at Rashtrapati Bhavan, which the sangh described as a “pre-decided courtesy meet”.

However, the meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, ended up triggering speculation as the ruling BJP also began consultations with the opposition parties over the next President’s issue. BJP ally Shiv Sena had earlier proposed Mr Bhagwat’s name for the NDA presidential candidate, which was rejected by the RSS chief himself.

President Pranab Mukherjee’s term is ending on July 24.

This was not the first meeting between Mr Bhagwat and Mr Mukherjee. It could be recalled here that the RSS chief had called on Mr Mukherjee to extend Diwali greetings in 2015 also.

Mr Bhagwat, who was in Rudrapur on Thurs-day, for the Sangh’s volunteer education and training programme, reached the national capital on Friday morning for the luncheon meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee.

The Election Commission has already issued notification for the next President’s election. The ruling NDA is trying to evolve a consensus on the issue by initiating a dialogue with the opposition camp but it is yet to disclose its candidate’s name. Voting for choosing the next president will be held on July 17 while counting will be on July 20.