New Delhi, 20/6:Opposition will have to start afresh their search for a common candidate for the Presidential elections as Gopalkrishna Gandhi on Monday declined their offer to fight the electoral battle saying there could be “far better” people than him for the honour, a day before the leaders are to meet here to discuss the possible nominee.
Some of the Opposition leaders are expected to persuade Gandhi to change his mind but it is to be seen whether the 77-year-old grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and former Governor will accede to their demand. Earlier, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah had declined the offer.
The 245-word statement from Gandhi was released in the afternoon, much to the disappointment of Opposition leaders, as they were making the final arrangements for the Tuesday meeting at Parliament House Annexe. The Opposition wanted to make the Presidential elections a battle of ideology – Gandhi versus Godse – in the 75th year of independence.