I am not out of prime ministerial race: Pawar

NCP chief said everything depended on situation that emerges after the results of the LS polls were announced.

Declaring that he was "still not out of the Prime Ministerial race," NCP chief Sharad Pawar today said everything depended on the situation that emerges after the results of the Lok Sabha polls were announced.

HT Image

"I am still in the race for Prime Ministership", he told mediapersons after casting vote in his hometown.

"Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda could occupy the coveted post even though he had just 17 MPs, so my option for the Prime Ministership is still open. It is my desire to become the Prime Minister of the country but everything depends on situation ahead," Pawar said.

The Left Front, which usually has 60 to 70 members in Parliament, would play a crucial role in formation of the government, but they are not in the race for Prime Ministership, he said.

"There is going to be a big set back to the NDA in this polls and if NDA is not able to get majority, the alliance partners are likely to switch their loyalties," the NCP leader said.

Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party should clarify their stand as their decisions are likely to be important in formation of the government at the Centre, Pawar added.