New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday hosted a lunch for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) supremo Mohan Bhagwat at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which the sangh described as a “pre-decided courtesy meet”. However, the meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, ended up triggering speculation as the ruling BJP also began consultations with the opposition parties over the next President’s issue.
BJP ally Shiv Sena had earlier proposed Mr Bhagwat’s name for the NDA presidential candidate, which was rejected by the RSS chief himself.
President Pranab Mukherjee’s term is ending on July 24. This was not the first meeting between Mr Bhagwat and Mr Mukherjee. It could be recalled here that the RSS chief had called on Mr Mukherjee to extend Diwali greetings in 2015 also.
