Pune: Sharad Pawar has cancelled himself from the Opposition’s list of potential candidates for the presidential elections, turning down a request from Congress president Sonia Gandhi, his Nationalist Congress Party said today.

“Sonia Gandhi requested Sharad Pawar to be the opposition’s candidate for President, but he has asked her to find someone else,” said NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik.

The NCP assesses that the Opposition does not have the strength and support to field a seasoned and senior leader like its party chief for President.

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It would not like Pawar to be the losing candidate in a contest for the post. Party sources said the only way Pawar could reconsider is if a united opposition can ensure that the BJP-led National Democratic Government is unable to get any more numbers in the electoral college than it already has.