Dismissing the ongoing media speculation about the possibility of his being nominated as the NDA’s candidate for the forthcoming presidential polls as mere “entertainment news”, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Wednesday that he would not accept the country’s top post even if he was nominated as a candidate in the impending election and that he would continue to remain as a Sangh Swayamsevak.
On the Shiv Sena had triggered intense speculation in the media by mooting his name for the post of the Indian President, an amused Bhagwat said, “The speculation about my nominated as a candidate for Presidential polls is only in the media. This (speculation) should be looked at as mere entertainment news. I am a Sangh swayamsevak and will remain one”.
Speaking at a function in Nagpur, Bhagwat said, “I am not in the race for the post of President. The speculation that is currently on in the media will never come true. Having accepted the top post in the RSS, all other doors are shut for me. Even if I am nominated for the post of President, I will not accept the post”.
With his clarification, Bhagwat has put an end to a debate triggered in national media and political circles by Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut who had on Monday last rooted Bhagwat’s candidature for the country’s top post on the ground that he is an “ideal choice” to fulfil the dream of ushering in a “Hindu Rashtra” (Hindu State) in the country.
Speaking to media persons, Raut had said, “Mohanrao Bhagwat is a good candidate for the President’s post. Even our party president Uddhav Thackeray favours his candidature. We have a Hindtuvavadi like Narendra Modi as a
Prime Minister. We have another Hindutva crusader like Adinath Yogi as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. In that context, we will have no objection if the NDA chooses Bhagwat as the choice for the President’s post. If we have to fulfil the dream of Hindu Rashtra, Bhagwat is an ideal choice for the top post.”