Big Breaking: Opposition Will Unitedly Field A Candidate For Presidential Polls

A crucial meeting of various opposition parties was called by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Delhi today. As per the media reports, 17 parties including Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI, CPI(M), DMK, PDP, CPIML, RSP, SHS (Shiv Sena), NCP, RJD, SP, NC (National Conference) JD(S), JMM and IUML came together for discussion on unitedly fielding a candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.

Though no name has been officially announced yet, NCP chief and former Maharashtra CM Sharad Pawar’s name is leading the race. On the other hand, the name of former Congress stalwart and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal’s name is also in the list. Though, as per the media reports, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has declined to contest in the presidential elections. 

Apart from Sharad Pawar and Kapil Sibal, one more name is in the list. As per the media sources, some oppisition leaders reached out to Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi for the same. Meanwhile, now all eyes are set on the parties like JD(S), YSRCP, TRS, AIMIM, Shiromani Akali Dal, Aam Aadmi Party and a few more who skipped Mamata Banerjee’s meeting today. 

On behalf of the Congress party, senior leaders – Mallikarjun Kharge, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Singh Surjewala attended the meet. While CPI has also praised the move, though Binoy Viswam cleared that Sharad Pawar has denied to contest due to health issues. As quoted by news agency ANI:

“Delhi | In today’s Opposition meeting, all parties proposed the name of Sharad Pawar for Presidential poll, but he said he cannot take this up now due to his health. All parties requested him to reconsider his decision: Binoy Viswam, CPI”

On the other hand, Mamata Banerjee has called it a “good beginning”. As tweeted by ANI:

“Several parties were here today. We’ve decided we will choose only one consensus candidate. Everybody will give this candidate our support. We will consult with others. This is a good beginning. We sat together after several months, and we will do it again: Mamata Banerjee, TMC”

After a long time, the major opposition parties came together today, to field a joint candidate against the BJP’s candidate in the forthcoming presidential elections, making it clear that the coming days will be politically crucial for the ruling party BJP as well as the opposition.

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