Sharief backs RSS chief for President's post

Congress leader C K Jaffer Sharief has pitched for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat for the President’s post.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi dated March 29, Sharief, a former Union minister stated that there should be no doubt about Bhagwat’s patriotism. He has also marked a copy of the letter to Bhagwat. Bhagwat’s name has been making the rounds for the President post, which would fall vacant in July this year. The Congress has already said that it will oppose any move to appoint the Sangh leader. Bhagwat has denied that he is being considered for the post.

Sharief has all but cut ties with the Congress after he was upset at being denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. The letter to Modi has given rise to rumours that Sharief, like S M Krishna, may join the BJP. However, Sharief has denied any such move.