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| Politics
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| Presidential polls |
| Presidential polls: Can NDA arrive at a consensus over its candidate?
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| INDIA
, 18-June-2012
0:18:12 AM |
| The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seems to be divided over nominating its presidential candidate against UPA's Pranab Mukherjee - a section of the key NDA constituent JD(U) is against a contest, particularly since APJ Abdul Kalam, seen as a rival candidate, is unwilling to run against the Finance Minister.
Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar is expected to break his silence on the presidential elections in Patna today. Sources say Nitish is not in favour of a contest, and instead prefers Pranab Mukherjee as a consensus candidate in race to Raisina Hills.
But sources close to Mr Kumar conceded that their leader's call for consensus is not so easy to achieve. A section of the BJP, especially Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, will make sure that his party and other constituents of the NDA - with whom he enjoys a better rapport - not only shoot down the consensus call, but also come forward with an NDA candidate, just to test the patience of the Bihar Chief Minister on this issue, as it wants a contest even if it means propping up the NCP's PA Sangma as a candidate. And if a contest happens, the BJP may seek Mamata Banerjee's support for Mr Sangma. (Read: Nitish Kumar vs Narendra Modi plays out in presidential poll too)
A crucial meeting of the NDA yesterday to decide on their candidate for the July 19 presidential polls ended without any consensus. After the two-hour-long meeting at BJP leader LK Advani's house, JD(U) Convenor Sharad Yadav told mediapersons that more deliberations are needed on the issue, and that "all the NDA chief ministers and people from outside will be consulted". Key NDA constituent Shiv Sena skipped the meeting. Party sources said the Sena is unhappy over the delay in announcing name of NDA candidate. Sources also said that the Sena is keen on a contest and wants a strong candidate. Sena spokesperson Rahul Narvekar, however, said, "Don't read much into Sena's absence from the meeting, the internal talks a
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