Mahatma Gandhi’s Grandson In Presidential Race?

With NCP supremo Sharad Pawar announcing that he is not in the Presidential race, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi could be the opposition’s unanimous candidate to be the 15th President of India. Pawar had reportedly expressed his reluctance due to the weakened strength of the opposition in the run-up to the elections.

Several prominent leaders from various opposition parties have reportedly reached out to Gopal Krishna Gandhi over phone in this regard. Apparently, the 77-year-old former bureaucrat had responded favourably and is likely to announce his decision today.

Gopal Krishna Gandhi is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and the last Governor-General of India, C Rajagopalachari. The former IAS officer had earlier served the country as India’s High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka and as the Governor of West Bengal from 2004 to 2009. He was also the consensus opposition candidate for the post of Vice President of India in 2017, but he had lost to BJP’s candidate M Venkaiah Naidu.

In case Gopal Krishna Gandhi declines the opposition’s offer, a few other names are also being considered and the opposition leaders have also reached out to them for their approval. The Presidential election for incumbent Ram Nath Kovind’s successor would be held on July 18. The process of filing of nominations will commence today at a specially arranged cell in the Parliament.