Presidential polls: Sharad Pawar has ruled himself out of race, says Sitaram Yechury

According to reports, the NCP chief is the joint opposition's preferred consensus candidate for the July 18 elections.

Published on: Jun 14, 2022, 19:32:08 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

At a time when several media reports have stated that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is the joint opposition's preferred consensus candidate for next month's presidential elections, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday said the veteran politician has ruled himself out of the race.

“I have been told that Pawar will not be the opposition face for the presidential poll, some other names are under consideration,” Yechury said after a delegation of Left leaders, including Yechury himself, met the NCP chief at his residence in Delhi.

The CPI(M) leader's remarks came on a day when West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, Mamata Banerjee, too, called on the NCP chief in the national capital. According to reports, the two leaders discussed presidential elections during their meeting.

Also Read | Day before Opposition meet over presidential polls, Mamata Banerjee calls on Sharad Pawar in Delhi

The developments took place a day before opposition parties are scheduled to meet in Delhi to discuss the polls; last Saturday, Banerjee wrote to as many as 22 opposition parties, inviting them for the said meeting.

Also Read | Presidential polls: Cong to attend Mamata's meeting

However, the Left parties - CPI(M) and CPI – will be represented at the meeting by their respective Rajya Sabha MPs, and not the top leadership. The two parties have already expressed their objection at Banerjee ‘unilaterally’ convening the opposition meet.

The elections for India's 15th President will take place on July 18, followed by counting of votes, if needed, on July 21. The stipulated five-year tenure of the incumbent, Ram Nath Kovind, will end on July 24.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.