Gopalkrishna Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, has declined the opposition's request to be their candidate in the presidential elections, saying there will be better persons for this job. Gandhi is the third person to walk out of the presidential race after NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah.
In a statement issued on Monday, Gandhi said the opposition’s candidate should be the one who will generate a national consensus and a national atmosphere beside the opposition unity. “I feel there will be others who will do this far better than I. And so I have requested the leaders to give the opportunity to such a person,” Gandhi said in a statement on Monday,” he said.
“And so I have requested the leaders to give the opportunity to such a person. May India get a President worthy of the office presaged by Rajaji as the last Governor General and inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad as our first President,” Gandhi, a former diplomat, added.
On Saturday, Farooq Abdullah had pulled out of the race citing “uncertain times in Jammu and Kashmir following the scrapping of the state’s special status”.
"I am deeply touched by the support that I've received and honoured to have been considered for the highest office in the country. I believe that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a critical juncture and my efforts are required to help navigate these uncertain times," he had said. Pawar has already rejected the opposition's request to contest the poll.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties will hold the second round of discussions on Tuesday to find a consensus candidate.
The process to elect a new president began on June 15. The last date of filing of nominations is June 29. The polls, if necessary, will be held on July 18 and and the counting on July.
