The BJP appears reluctant to be seen on the same side as the UPA by supporting Mr Pranab Mukherjee given that Lok Sabha elections are due in 2014. It also hopes that by not supporting the UPA candidate it can expand the NDA by winning over non-Congress parties and some former allies.
After Sunday’s meeting remained inconclusive, the BJP again opened channels with AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik. Sources disclosed the BJP is also in touch with TMC chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
Incidentally, the AIADMK, BJD and the TMC are former NDA allies. The BJP, it is learnt, is also in touch with the YSR Congress, which swept the recently held bypolls by winning 15 Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha constituency.
That the JD(U) is in favour of Mr Mukherjee became evident when JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari, considered close to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, made it clear at Sunday’s meeting that the NDA should back Mr Mukherjee. Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr Mukherjee had called the Bihar CM seeking support for Mr Mukherjee’s candidature.
After no decision could be taken, the NDA said it will consult other non-Congress parties. NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said: “Various leaders put forth their views in detail. More discussions are required in this regard to arrive at the right decision. L.K. Advani will talk to chief ministers of NDA-ruled states and all others. The NDA will meet sometime later again to take a decision in this regard. Those outside (Delhi) will also be consulted.”
When asked why the NDA has not announced its candidate when it had been maintaining it will open its cards after the UPA announces its candidate, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said: “The process has just started. No one has filed the nomination papers... It is not yet locked. It is open. Who will be the next President is not yet decided.”