Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be meeting BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday.
BJP’s ally Shiv Sena on Friday proposed the name of leading agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan as NDA’s nominee for the upcoming Presidential election.
Shiv Sena MP and spokesman Sanjay Raut said, "Shiv Sena is in favour of nomination of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat for the Presidential poll. However, if it is not acceptable to BJP, then in that case Dr MS Swaminathan’s name be announced as NDA nominee.’’
Bhagwat, has however, clarified that he is not in the Presidential race. Besides, BJP has also ruled out Bhagwat's name because RSS itself has ruled out any such idea.
Shiv Sena is expected to strongly pitch for Swaminathan’s candidature during party president Uddhav Thackeray’s meeting with BJP chief Amit Shah slated for Sunday.
Swaminathan had chaired a commission on agriculture in 2004 and submitted its report to the Centre in 2006, but it was not implement. Subsequently, BJP in the run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha elections had promised implementation of Swaminathan Commission report, if elected to power.
In the wake of farmers agitations, the report is currently being discussed. Various farmer organisations and political parties have been pressing for the implementation of Swaminathan Commission report, especially to address farmers distress and revive the problem ridden farming sector.
Shiv Sena’s move is crucial as BJP on its part has launched dialogue with various political parties to discuss the election of the next President of India.
Even though NDA has yet to formally announce any names, union minister Sushma Swaraj’s name is doing the rounds in the race to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The other contenders include Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu.
As far as opposition parties are concerned, Former Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar are under consideration. However, Pawar has already refused to be the opposition nominee.
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