After 'Kharge for PM' call, Sharad Pawar says no need for INDI alliance to announce PM candidate

Pune: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has claimed that there is no need to announce a prime ministerial candidate ahead of parliamentary elections as the tussle within the Opposition’s INDI alliance continues over the top post. This comes after Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal proposed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s name for the prime ministerial face of the INDI bloc. 

Referring to the 1977 Lok Sabha polls, Pawar recalled that a PM face was not declared even then when the Janata Party coalition overthrew the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government. 

“In the 1977 elections, no face was projected for PM and after the election, Moraraji Desai was elected for the PM post. Desai's name was nowhere before the elections and in fact, a new party came into existence. After the polls, Moraraji Desai was made PM,” said Sharad Pawar. 

While replying to a question regarding INDI bloc’ plan in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar said that there are no consequences if a face is not projected for PM candidate as the people will take a call to bring about the change if they are in the mood. “There are no consequences if a face is not projected. If people are in the mood for change, they will take a call to bring about that change," Sharad Pawar added. 

(With agency inputs)