Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda has already said CM Chandrababu Naidu has the merit to become the next prime minister of India. Now, Maharashtra strongman Sharad Pawar has also hinted that Naidu is a better alternative than Rahul Gandhi for the prime ministerial nomination. He said that the other choices for non-BJP parties are West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and BSP leader Mayawati.

Pawar has ruled himself out of the prime ministerial race a long time back. His main objective in this election is to see and ensure the ousting of PM Modi. His confidence is that there are no major divisions among the non-NDA parties. Mamata has expressed her aspiration for PM post while Mayawati and Naidu have conveyed their resolve to prevent Modi from retaining the post.

Pawar is considered as one of the potential king-makers who would play a crucial role in the formation of a non-BJP government formation at the Centre. The anti-Modi political parties are confident that they will be able to bring together a strong alliance after the elections to stake a claim for government formation. Pawar, Deve Gowda and other leaders have acknowledged the big role played by Naidu in turning voter opinion across the country against Modi with his attacks on IT raids and EVMs.