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| No consensus yet in NDA on presidency | | |
NEW DELHI, MAY 15
The opposition NDA today authorised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to name its candidate for the presidential elections in a sign there was no consensus within the alliance over BJP's preference for vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the post.
At an NDA meeting to discuss the opposition's candidate for the president's post, Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee even suggested Vajpayee could be fielded as a nominee for the job.
In the face of apparent differences, the BJP, which is believed to have opted for Shekhawat as the presidential candidate, then chose to avoid proposing his name for the nomination, alliance sources said.
Trinamool leader Dinesh Trivedi told reporters after a meeting at Vajpayee's residence that his party believed Vajpayee was the most suitable candidate for presidency given his seniority and calibre.
NDA covenor George Fernandes and senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra, however, said the opposition alliance had authorised the former Prime Minister to name a nominee for the presidential elections.
"No names were discussed at the meeting. The NDA authorised Vajpayee to decide on the candidate and let it be known to the constituents for their approval," Malhotra remarked.
Earlier, the JD (U)'s had advocated re-election of A P J Abdul Kalam, who is now believed to have opted out of the race, as president.
BJP sources said Vajpayee, senior party leader L K Advani and party chief Rajnath Singh met over the weekend to discuss who should be the opposition's candidate for the President's post.
"Shekhawat has emerged as the possible choice for the job," a source close to Singh said. "As far as the incumbent is concerned, he has opted out of the race because there may not be any consensus candidate this time," he added.
The saffron party has its eyes set on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who has an important role in President's election because of her victory in the state elections.
"The Samajwadi Party would have backed Kalam had it been re-elected to power. But now what is to be seen is what stand Mayawati takes. If she goes with the UPA, it would be a tough contest for the NDA's nominee," the source said.
BJP sources said the party wanted to lobby across party lines to win support for Shekhawat.
Earlier in the day, Advani told his party MPs that he believed that an NDA nominee for the highest office stood a good chance of success if they made full efforts to ensure their candidate's election as the country's next president.
"An NDA candidate can succeed if you all try hard," Malhotra quoted him as telling party MPs.
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