New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi has reached out to NCP leader Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other leaders of anti-BJP parties to hold discussions on electing a successor to President Ram Nath Kovind ahead of the Presidential Elections next month, news agency PTI reported. As per the report, the Congress on Saturday said that the opposition parties should unanimously elect a candidate who can protect the Constitution, institutions and the citizenry from the "ongoing onslaught" by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that while the grand old party has not yet suggested any particular name, "We owe it to our people to elect a President who can apply a healing touch to the fractured social fabric and defend our Constitution,” he said.
"The time is ripe to rise above our differences for the sake of our nation and its people. Discussions have to be open-minded and in keeping with this spirit. We believe that the Congress along with other political parties should be taking this discussion forward," Surjewala said in a statement.
“The Congress Party is of the opinion that the nation needs a person as President who can protect the Constitution, our institutions and citizenry from the ongoing onslaught by the ruling party. This is the need of the hour,” the party chief spokesperson added.
It is to be noted that Sonia Gandhi, owing to her Covid infection, has deputed Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to co-ordinate with the other leaders.
As per the report, Kharge has already had discussions with several opposition leaders, including Pawar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. He has also had telephonic discussions with Banerjee and some other leaders to reach a consensus on a Presidential candidate.
Notably, the term of incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind will be ending on July 24.