NCP backs Rahul Gandhi, says Sharad Pawar is not in race for prime minister’s post

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday clarified that its chief Sharad Pawar is not in the race for the prime minister’s post, in the light of Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s remarks that he is ready to become PM if the Congress emerges as the largest party after the 2019 polls.

The NCP also spoke out in Gandhi’s support, saying that nobody can oppose it, if the voters’ mandate is in favour of the Congress.“One of our leaders may have said that the NCP chief is also in the race for the PM’s post, but this is far from truth. He [Sharad Pawar] has always clarified his stand that he knows his limitations and that he was never in the race for the top post in the country,” NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik said, in an official statement issued by the party.

Considering the current situation, change seems imminent, Malik said, adding that the decision will be based on the election outcome.

Gandhi, who is campaigning in the Karnataka elections, has said he is “pretty confident” that Narendra Modi will not be re-elected as prime minister.