Since the schedule for the Presidential Elections was announced, the political temperature has increased in the national capital. Though neither the BJP nor the opposition has announced its candidate yet, as per the sources, BJP chief JP Nadda and Defence minister Rajnath Singh are planning to meet the opposition leaders in order to forge a consensus on the choice of the next President.
On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is reaching out to several opposition parties including Congress, to field a joint opposition candidate for the President post. As compared to 2017, there is a slight decrease in the numbers of BJP, especially its MLAs, after which, it may need the support of YSR Congress or Biju Janata Dal for the victory of its candidate.
Meanwhile, the grand-old-party has urged Sharad Pawar, the “chanakya” of Indian politics, to contest as the candidate of opposition in the presidential elections. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at Silver Oak in Mumbai and as per the media reports, he has urged Pawar to contest as the opposition’s candidate against the candidate of the BJP.
Though Pawar hasn’t cleared his stand yet, Sharad Pawar is well known for his political contacts across the country, even in the ruling party BJP. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole has said that it will be an honour if a “Marathi Manus” becomes the president of India. As per the sources, the leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party have also met Sharad Pawar on the same matter.
Now all eyes are set on NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s decision. Apart from Pawar, earlier, former Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal’s name was also in the race. This time, Shiv Sena is not with the BJP and the number of BJP MLAs has decreased as compared to 2017, due to which it may need support of BJD or YSRCP for the victory of its candidate.
