Congress wants to make Sharad Pawar a joint opposition candidate!

New Delhi. Congress is insisting on a joint opposition candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Wherever there is a government in the party, the Congress has conveyed its support to Sharad Pawar to its allies. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had met Sharad Pawar last Thursday with a message from party chief Sonia Gandhi. Both the leaders met in Mumbai. If Sharad Pawar enters the fray, the Congress appears to be in full support, while Mamata Banerjee has called a meeting of opposition parties on June 15. On the same day, Pawar will meet leaders of like-minded parties. However, Pawar has not yet reacted to these speculations.

Pawar, a stalwart of the opposition ranks, could upset the equation of the ruling party, which is hoping to garner support from other smaller parties. Congress President Sonia Gandhi has contacted NCP chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other opposition leaders regarding the upcoming presidential election. He spoke to various opposition leaders on Saturday. “Congress President Sonia Gandhi has discussed the issue of upcoming Presidential elections with Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee and some other opposition leaders,” a Congress statement said.

Congress has entrusted the responsibility of talking to the parties to Mallikarjun Kharge
“As per his discussions with other opposition leaders, he has deputed LOP Mallikarjun Kharge to coordinate with other leaders in view of his ill health due to COVID-19,” the statement said. Congress is of the opinion that the country needs a President who can protect the Constitution, democratic institutions and citizens from the ongoing “attack” of the ruling BJP, the statement said. While the party has not suggested a specific name for the presidential elections, it said it would be a presidential election for the people, an attempt to correct India’s “fractured social fabric”.

‘Time has come to rise above differences’
The party said in a statement, “The time has come to rise above our differences for the sake of our country and its people. Talks and discussions should be open-minded and in line with this spirit. We believe that the Indian National Congress along with other parties should take this discussion forward.” The BJP, on the other hand, has named its party chief J. P. Nadda and Union Minister Rajnath Singh have been entrusted with the responsibility of holding discussions with various political parties and helping them reach a consensus.