Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi has refused to be the opposition’s presidential candidate. He issued a statement on Monday (20 June 2022) saying that he was grateful for the offer of his name on behalf of the United Opposition. Gopal Krishna said that I will request the opposition to consider some other name, who can prove to be a better President than me.
Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson said, “Many leaders of opposition parties considered his name to be the opposition candidate in the upcoming presidential elections which is an honor for him. I am very grateful to them. But after considering the matter deeply, I see that the opposition candidate should be such that apart from opposition unity, there should be a consensus at the national level.
In his statement, 77-year-old Gopal Krishna Gandhi said, “I think there will be more people who will do a better job than me. That’s why I have requested the leaders that such a person should be given an opportunity.” Earlier, NCP leader Sharad Pawar and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah have also refused to contest the presidential election.
There is no consensus among the opposition: No consensus has been reached between the opposition about the presidential candidate so far. Recently, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah announced his withdrawal as the opposition’s presidential candidate. Announcing this on 18 June, Farooq Abdullah had said, “I withdraw my candidature as a possible joint opposition candidate for the President of India. I believe that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a turning point and I am needed here to help people out of these uncertain times.
Sharad Pawar had denied: In the meeting convened by West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee in the Constitution Club on 15 June 2022 regarding the presidential election, there was a deep brainstorming about the possible candidate. During this, Mamta Banerjee proposed the name of Farooq Abdullah and Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi. Sharad Pawar’s name was also suggested by all the parties in the meeting, but Pawar, who was present there, himself refused the candidature.