Indian Presidential Race: Mahatma Gandhi’s Grandson Bows Out

The grandson of India’s independence leader Mahatma Gandhi has dropped out of the race to become president after his name was proposed by an alliance of opposition parties.

The 77-year-old diplomat turned politician Gopalkrishna Gandhi, said he had declined the request of the 17-party alliance to be their nominee for the largely ceremonial role.

National and state lawmakers are slated to vote on a new president on July 18.

Gandhi is the third person to decline an offer by the opposition to be their candidate.