Shiv Sena Says RSS May Project Pranab as PM, Daughter Refutes

Pranab’s decision to address the RSS’ ‘Shiksha Varg’ 7 June did not go down well with the Congress initially.

The RSS may project former President Pranab Mukherjee as a prime ministerial candidate if the BJP falls short of a majority in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and other parties refuse to back Narendra Modi for the post, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said in Mumbai on Sunday, 10 June.

“The scenario prevalent in the country is such that the BJP will not win a majority in 2019. If there is a fractured mandate and other parties do not support Modi, Mukherjee will be projected as a prime ministerial candidate, who will be acceptable to all,” Raut told PTI.

His speculation was, however, refuted by Pranab’s daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee, who said her father had no plans to return to active politics.

Mr. Raut, after retiring as President of India, my father is NOT going to enter into active politics again https://t.co/WJmmZx5g1y

— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) June 10, 2018