With presidential elections just around the corner, both the ruling and opposition parties are scrambling to find a candidate.
While the BJP leadership has tasked party president JP Nadda and senior leader Rajnath Singh with reaching out to various parties across the political spectrum in order to develop a consensus candidate for the top constitutional post, the Opposition has already convened a meeting to discuss fielding a joint candidate.
The name of the NCP supremo was the first to circulate after the elections were declared. Though major opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress and the Left parties are said to have persuaded Pawar to run, the NCP chief has declined.
Farooq Abdullah
With Pawar declining to run, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has emerged as a possible replacement. Soon after Sharad Pawar declined the offer, Mamata Banerjee roped in the names of Farooq Abdullah and Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Gopalkrishna Gandhi
The name of the former West Bengal Governor is also being considered by the opposition as a potential President candidate. He is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari. He has also been selected as a candidate after Mamta Banerjee suggested his name.
Nitish Kumar
Months before the elections, the Janata Dal (United) floated the name of party supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a possible candidate for President of India. To put speculations to rest, Nitish Kumar announced on Monday that he will not run in the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the BJP has yet to announce a candidate for the July 18 elections. The ruling party is unlikely to re-nominate incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind, according to sources.
