Which way will the NDA go in presidential poll?

June 17, 2012 11:22

The National Democratic Alliance began its meeting on Sunday morning to decide on its future course of action in the presidential election, with the Shiv Sena deciding to sit it out. The meeting is being held in senior leader LK Advani's residence in New Delhi.

The NDA is expected to decide if it will back the United Progressive Alliance candidate Pranab Mukherjee for President, or to go in for a contest.

However, divisions in the NDA on the issue have come to the fore with the Shiv Sena skipping the key meeting. "Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackerey will take a decision on the issue," said party leader Sanjay Raut, when asked about speculation that the Sena was against fielding any candidate against Pranab Mukherjee, the UPA's presidential nominee.

The Shiv Sena is the oldest ideological ally of the BJP. It had not backed former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in the presidential poll the last time despite the BJP and several others in the alliance supporting him. At that time, it had backed Pratibha Patil -- a Maharashtrian.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has reiterated that her party will nominate APJ Abdul Kalam and no one else for the presidential election.

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