Sharad Pawar’s refusal comes after his candidature was floated by CPI(M) leaders Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat for the post of the president.
Two days after his name started doing the rounds again for the post of President, senior politician and NCP chief Sharad Pawar denied that he was in the race for the post.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar during an election campaign at Mankhurd in Mumbai.(HT File Photo)
Pawar’s refusal comes after his candidature was floated by CPI(M) leaders Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat. The leaders felt Pawar was apt for the post as he enjoyed cordial relations with all political parties and could keep a check on the BJP.
Talking to media persons in Solapur, Pawar said the BJP had enough strength to win the election for the post of President. “My party does not have enough strength. Election can be unanimous if Prime Minister Narendra Modi opens dialogue with the opposition parties,” he said. “I am not in the race for the post of President. I cannot dream of the post when my party has only 14 MPs,” Pawar added.
The NCP chief admitted that Modi continues to influence voters, which was visible in the Uttar Pradesh elections. He, however, remarked that any wave cannot sustain for a long time. “Political parties have failed to pose a strong alternative to Narendra Modi and people are voting for BJP,” he said.