NEW DELHI: The Opposition is in a fix without a candidate in the Presidential election slated on July 18.A day ahead of the second round of the meeting of the opposition parties to pick up a joint candidate in the upcoming Presidential polls on July 18, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi (77), former diplomat and former West Bengal Governor, on Monday became the third leader refusing to enter the contest after Sharad Pawar (81) and Dr Farooq Abdullah (84).
He felt there must be others who are better than him and who can generate a national consensus.
Pawar told a meeting of 17 parties convened here last Wednesday by Trinamul Congress Chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee not to count on him since he wants to play more political innings.
Mamata then suggested names of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Gopal Gandhi, but the Opposition is left without any candidate now. The ruling BJP on Wednesday sounded some of the leaders here for the opposition meeting to have a consensus, but without revealing name of its candidate or will they repeat the present incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind, whose term ends on July 24.
Dr Abdullah pulled out from the race on Saturday and now even Gopal Gandhi, who had last time lost to M Venkaiah Naidu five years ago in the race for the post of the vice-president.
The ongoing nominations are open till June 29 and withdrawals are allowed till July 2.
