‘Non-political’ President will be best: Pawar

Apr 23, 2012 |

mumbai

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Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday said a 'non-political' person could be an 'ideal' choice as the country’s next President, while denying that his party had endorsed former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma P.A. Sangma as a possible candidate for the same.

“Both the UPA and the NDA don’t have the required numbers to ensure that candidate of their choice gets elected as the next President. Hence, I feel that a non-political person can be an ideal choice,” Mr Pawar told reporters after inaugurating a girls’ hostel in Navi Mumbai near here.

He was responding to a question whether NCP had suggested the name of party leader and former LS Speaker P.A. Sangma as a possible candidate.

“We have a total of 16 MPs and know our limitations. All political parties should initiate a dialogue to find out a consensus candidate on merit, who does not have political background,” the minister said, denying that the party had put forward Sagma’s name.

Ms Pratibha Patil’s term as the President of India ends in July.

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