Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said he was not a contender in the presidential race despite calls to appoint him to the post. He confirmed this while addressing reporters in Nagpur.

Bhagwat said he wants to continue working for the Sangh, and that he would turn down the president’s role if asked. “I am here to work for the RSS. I had already closed all doors myself before joining the RSS. The rumours spread by the media will always remain rumours,” he said, according to News 18.

The RSS chief’s comments came days after the Shiv Sena said Bhagwat was their pick for the post. “If India has to be made a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, Bhagwat will be a good choice for President,” Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had said on Monday. The Congress had said it would not support Bhagwat for President as the party does not support the RSS ideology.

The presidential elections will be held in July, when Pranab Mukherjee’s term ends. Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani is considered the front-runner for the post. Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla and BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi are also believed to be in the race.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a dinner on Wednesday night for all MPs of the National Democratic Alliance to discuss their presidential candidate.