New Delhi, June 10: Former President Pranab Mukherjee's visit at the RSS headquarters earlier in the week has sparked off a a spree of speculations. A couple of days after reports claimed the 82-year-old could be the face of a united Opposition in 2019, the Shiv Sena on Sunday claimed the RSS would pitch for Pranab's candidature as the PM in case the BJP falls short of the majority mark in the next general elections.

Pranab's daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee, however, has taken exceptions to such speculations related to her father's political fate. Reacting to the claims made by senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, she said her father has already taken a hiatus from active politics.

"Mr. Raut, after retiring as President of India, my father is NOT going to enter into active politics again (sic)," said Sharmishta, who is also a mid-rung leader of the Congress. Here is her tweet:

Pranab Mukherjee For PM in 2019?

Reports on Friday, citing top sources from the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), along with the NDA ally Janata Dal (United), said there could be a consensus among anti-BJP parties if Pranab is projected as the "face of a united Opposition" in 2019.

Pranab is likely to be well-perceived by all sections of the Opposition due to his seniority and over 50-year experience in public life. His projection could also address the apprehensions covertly raised by some political parties regarding the prime ministerial ambitions of Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The Shiv Sena, however, came up with a alternative theory claiming not the Congress, but the RSS (ideological parent of BJP) would need Pranab to glue all the allies of NDA.

"We feel RSS is preparing itself for a situation where it might put forth Pranab Mukherjee ji as PM name if BJP fails to get required numbers. In any case BJP will lose a minimum of 110 seats this time," said Sanjay Raut.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2018 03:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).