New Delhi, May 11: President Pranab Mukherjee is retiring in July. Parties on either side of the political spectrum have started the scramble to build consensus among their supporters for consensus candidates. While the ruling NDA is in a huddle to find a candidate acceptable to all its constituent, the Congress party is trying to stitch a broad anti-BJP alliance. Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been meeting Opposition leaders to find a candidate who has acceptability across all political parties ideologically opposed to the right.
While the BJP-led NDA is keeping its cards close to its chest, the Opposition has let some information slip to the ever-hungry media. It is reported that the NDA might surprise people like it did in the case of Uttar Pradesh when it declared Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of the state. The Congress-led Opposition is not too keen on Congressman being their candidate. The Congress party is not pushing the envelope as it doesn’t want to break Opposition’s concurrency on opposing the BJP-backed candidate. Here are a few names that have been doing the rounds.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi is a renowned diplomat and former governor of West Bengal. According to reports, Sonia Gandhi spoke to him regarding his candidacy. He admitted that was being talked to, but didn’t divulge any further details. He is reportedly leading the race of Opposition’s candidate.
Draupadi Murmu
It is being reported that the BJP can field Jharkhand governor Draupadi Murmu as its candidate. The governor comes from a backward community. Her candidature can also help BJP further in future elections. (Also read: Presidential Election 2017: Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi can be Opposition’s candidate, Meira Kumar also in fray)
Miera Kumar
According to reports, the other name apart from Gopalkrishna Gandhi that is coming up in discussions is Miera Kumar. The former Lok Sabha speaker comes from backward caste herself and if the BJP announces Murmu as its candidate, she could be the Opposition’s candidate.
Mohan Bhagwat
NDA’s mercurial partner, Shiv Sena had said it would support the BJP if RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is made the candidate. However, both the BJP and Bhagwat denied that there were talks on his name. Also, he might not be acceptable to all the constituents of the NDA. Also, the NDA is short of votes and to get support from non-NDA parties, their sensibilities will also have to be taken into account. (Also read: Presidential elections 2017: Jagan Mohan Reddy meets PM Modi, says YSRC will support BJP’s President choice)
Sushma Swaraj
There were unconfirmed reports that she might be BJP’s candidate. It was reported that since she was not keeping well, she could be elevated to the post of the head of the state.
Sharad Yadav or Sharad Pawar
The name of JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and NCP leader Sharad Pawar have also come up in discussions, it has been reported.
Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi
BJP patriarch LK Advani and senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi’s names had been discussed. However, after trials against them was ordered by the Supreme Court, their chances have become very slim.
Pranab Mukherjee
President Pranab Mukherjee could get a second term as he enjoys an all-party support.
It is quite likely that a BJP-backed candidate will win as they are just a little short of the majority mark and Jagan Mohan Reddy has pledged support to the BJP. But, Sonia Gandhi is leaving no stones unturned to prevent that from happening.
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