Won't contest presidental elections: Sharad Pawar
Ms Heptulla was also considered close to Mr Pawar and called the leader of Mr Pawar's faction when she was in Congress.
Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has ruled out himself out as a candidate in the Presidential election. However, Mr Pawar has said there could be a “consensus candidate” from both the opposition and the ruling regime, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi opts for it.
“I will not be there as candidate in the Presidential election. But if Prime Minister decides then he could avoid the election,” said Mr Pawar in Solapur on Monday.
Pranabh Mukherjee’s term as President expires in July 2017. The former Maharashtra chief minister further said, “BJP has enough numbers with them. If Modi decides to hold discussion with opposition over the Presidential election, a consensus candidate could emerge.”
This is the first time that a prominent leader like Mr Pawar has spoken about a consensus candidate.
It is very interesting that for the first time leader of Mr Pawar’s position has talked something of kind of ‘consensus candidate’.
Rumours suggest that Left front leaders Sitaram Yechuri and Prakash Karat are pushing Mr Pawar’s name as the opposition candidate.
However, sources also said Mr Pawar has himself asked Left front leaders to think about Manipur governor Najma Heptulla as a candidate.
Ms Heptulla was in Congress before she switched to BJP in 2004. She was a Cabinet minister in Mr Modi’s government before being appointed as governor.
Ms Heptulla was also considered close to Mr Pawar and called the leader of Mr Pawar’s faction when she was in Congress.