Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar rubbished rumours that he is in the race for presidential election.
"It is absolutely false that I will be a candidate for the Presidential election. I know what will be the result, given the party that has more than 300 MPs. I will not be a candidate for the Presidential election," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
Speaking about his recent meetings with poll strategist Prashant Kishor, the NCP chief said the two did not discuss anything regarding the leadership for the 2024 elections or the Presidential election.
Prashant Kishor met me twice, but we only talked about a company of his, he said, and added that the the Kishor told him that he has left the field of formulating poll strategie.
"Nothing has been decided so far, be it the 2024 general elections or state elections. The election is far away, political situation keeps changing. I am not going to assume any leadership in the 2024 elections," Pawar said.
The meetings between Pawar and Kishore had led to speculations that the poll strategist was lobbying to get the NCP chief elected as the President of India.
There were also speculations that the meetings of Kishore with various political leaders was part of the attempt to build opposition unity to fight the BJP in the next general elections.
Meanwhile, another NCP leader, Nawab Malik, affirmed that no discussions have been held within the party so far regarding the presidential elections. “If someone is circulating this news, then I would like to clarify that it is not true," ANI quoted Malik as saying.
