M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – Gerindra Party has challenged the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan to account for the latter's recent remarks on Prabowo Subianto's willingness to become Jokowi's running mate in the 2019 presidential race.
"If he dares, just make a press conference, to talk about what actually happened," said Gerindra deputy chair Ferry Juliantono on Monday, April 23.
Ferry also dismissed rumors that Gerindra had asked for the vice presidential ticket from the Jokowi camp. "Do not think that we're the one who asked for the vice president position," he said.
Fery said it was impossible for Prabowo to accept a vice presidential offer from Jokowi on any condition. Prabowo, he added, would never betray his party, which had mandated him to run for president.
"The whole family of Gerindra party wants Pak Prabowo to run for president," he said.
According to Ferry, Luhut was instead the one who offered the vice presidential seat to Prabowo. ""Maybe Pak Luhut tried to convince Pak Prabowo about the vice presidency."