New Delhi: National Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has backed West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu and former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati as top contenders for the Prime Minister’s post if the NDA fails to win a majority after the Lok Sabha election. Mr. Pawar told a TV channel that like incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his three choices, too, have been chief ministers in their respective states, giving administrative experience the most weight for his choices. 

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“Narendra Modi was chief minister of Gujarat before taking over as the PM. In my opinion, since the possibility of the NDA securing a clear majority is remote, Banerjee, Naidu and Mayawati are better options for the PM’s post,” he said. Curiously, Rahul Gandhi was missing from his list, but Pawar said he only omitted the Congress chief as he himself has made it clear on several occasions that he was not in fray for the top post

Mr. Pawar however, denied the making a statement where he had allegedly said that the three regional leaders would make a better PM than Gandhi. Although Rahul Gandhi has recently said that he was not interested in the PM’s post and that a decision should be left after election, there have been enough hints from the Congress camp that he would be the top candidate if the party makes a decent showing in the polls. 

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