Not interested in becoming President: Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday dismissed reports that he was in the race for the President of India's post and asserted that he will not accept even if he was nominated.

"I am not interested in that post. Such a news is only for entertainment. That is never going to happen," Bhagwat said in Marathi while interacting with media persons here.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's ally Shiv Sena earlier in the week urged the Narendra Modi government to consider Bhagwat for the post of the President, contending that it would pave the way for India to become a Hindu Rashtra.

But Bhagwat on Wednesday insisted his only priority was the Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh (RSS).

"We close all doors before coming here. When we work in the Sangh, we don't go there (to such high posts). There are many Swayamsevaks up there and they know it well," he said -- obliquely hinting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a former Swayamsevak who should know about the RSS culture.

"Even if in an impossible situation my name is nominated, we will not accept it," said Bhagwat and assured his followers not to panic about the news.

"It is an entertaining news and should be looked at that way and left at that," added Bhagwat.

The presidential election is due in July when President Pranab Mukherjee's five-year term ends.

--IANS

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