Prez race: Cong rejects Bhagwat's name; says will announce its nominee soon
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New Delhi: The Congress Tuesday said it did not support Shiv Sena's suggestion of making RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as the next President as it "opposed the saffron ideology", adding that the party would come out with its candidate after holding internal discussions.
"It is very clear that we do not support RSS ideology," Congress spokesperson Gaurav Gogoi told reporters when asked if the party supported the Sena's suggestion.
Asked whether the Opposition party would rise above politics to arrive at a consensus in choosing the successor of President Pranab Mukherjee, he said the party will hold internal discussions before coming out with its view.
"When it comes to appointing our President...at the right time, we will, of course, have our own internal discussion first and then announce the nominee," he said.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had put forth a suggestion that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat would be a good choice for President to make India a "Hindu Rashtra".
"Somebody with a clean image should occupy it. We have heard that Mohan Bhagwat's name is being discussed for President. If India has to be made a 'Hindu Rashtra', Bhagwat will be a good choice for President," he had said.
Incumbent President Mukherjee is due to retire on July 24.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for all NDA MPs tomorrow, a move aimed at seeking their support for the NDA Presidential candidate.
