NCP president Sharad Pawar has trashed the idea of Rahul Gandhi as a contender for the Prime Minister's post. In an interview to Zee News, he said an acceptable face from the non-NDA constituents will be a contender.

In the event of non-NDA parties emerging strong, Pawar said, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee and Chandrababu Naidu could rise as serious candidates for the top post. The NCP chief said he will make efforts to unite the non-NDA constituents to form a stable government if required. He also indicated that he might on-board a few parties from the NDA fold as well.

Stressing that people are desirous of change, Pawar said, "We are confident that people want change as none of the promises that the BJP made have been fulfilled. Whatever was said before the elections was just to deflect the people's attention. The result will be in our favour as people are no longer liking Modi or Shah."

He said there is no dearth of good leader in the country. "Once the results are out, we will decide whom to elect and select. We have many leaders who are capable and it will be improper to name them now."

He said former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was popular among various sections of people. "However, this cannot be said for the government of the day."

A common minimum programme is the glue that will bind all parties together. The 78-year-old veteran, who has held positions in Maharashtra as well as the Centre, made it clear that his ambitions were secondary.

"We will first make a common minimum programme. Then as per set norms of democracy, whoever has numbers on their side will form the government. The role of someone like me is important here as I am not a PM candidate myself and I don't expect anything for me. Whoever will work most for the country will be my choice," said Pawar.

The need of the hour is to collaborate as it's not possible for regional parties to script success beyond their stronghold, Pawar said. "DMK will never yield results in UP. The same is applicable to Akhilesh's Samajwadi party. Hence all of us have decided that we will cooperate with each other. After the elections are over, we will come with a common minimum programme to provide an alternative to the country. When we fought in 2004 there was no united front. However, after the elections we came together," said Pawar.

He said he has no personal ambitions and that he will play a bigger role. "All of us gathered at Soniaji's residence in 2004. Myself, Manmohanji and Pranabji first spoke together and then took the help of many non-BJP coalition partners. We provided an alternative stable government to the country for ten years. You cannot ignore that fact."