Pranab Mukherjee hosted lunch for RSS leader

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday hosted a lunch for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as a courtesy meeting before he leaves his office officially on July 25.

Rashtrapati Bhavan officials said it was a “kind of farewell” call, Mukherjee had invited Bhagwat for the meeting, adding that both leaders had known each other for a long time, reports DH.

The sources said that the lunch was personal and no political agenda was involved in it. However, Mukherjee is due to host similar farewell meetings with leaders and personalities belonging to different sections before he retires.

The President will also be hosting lunch or dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Council of Ministers and opposition leaders.

The Shiv Sena, which has consistently been pushing for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as the next president, said a “Hindutva rubber stamp” should be installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Bhagwat, however, had categorically stated that he was not interested in the president’s post.