Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar today declined Mamata Banerjee’s offer to be the opposition’s Presidential candidate.

The presidential elections will take place on July 18 and the results will be declared on July 21.

June 29 is the last date for nominations.

Mr. Pawar declined his candidature saying he ‘still has an active political innings to play’

The meeting of Opposition leaders was called by Mamata Banerjee to discuss a joint candidate for the elections

Mr. Pawar, 81, in an earlier meeting with his party leaders, had shut down any speculation about him being nominated for the top job,

He has now made it official.

Mamata Banerjee proposed Mr. Pawar’s name at the meeting.

She suggested two options, former Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, when Mr. Pawar declined. Mr. Gandhi is now emerging as the frontrunner for the Left.

Opposition parties discussed a 21 June deadline for naming a presidential candidate.

Mr. Pawar had the support of many parties, in addition to the Trinamool Congress.

The Left, Congress and the Shiv Sena all supported his candidature.

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