Pranab Mukherjee Not interested in second term

No fresh term: President Pranab Mukherjee has indicated to close confidants that he is not interested in another term and, in any case, does not expect the BJPto re-nominate him. Mukherjee, 80, who completes his term next July, is already sorting out his papers and gifts presented to him during his presidentship, but the NDA government is still to decide on his replacement. The name of superstar Amitabh Bachchan was doing the rounds, but that was ruled out after the Panama Papers exposure. Another speculation, which appears unfounded, is that Sharad Pawar, who is an ideal compromise candidate, could be in the running. The final decision will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in consultation with the RSS. Names being mentioned include those of speaker Sumitra Mahajan, minister for social justice and empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot, the Dalit face of Modi’s cabinet, and governors such as Ram Naik and Draupadi Murmu, the first woman tribal to be sworn in as a governor.