The Opposition NDA appears to be in a dilemma on whether to put up a candidate against UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential election.
While the BJP-led front remains in disarray after the Shiv Sena broke ranks and declared support for Mr Mukherjee, the Janata Dal (United) remains soft on the veteran Congress leader and is expected to announce its decision to back him soon.
The BJP is likely to hold a meeting with its allies on Wednesday to decide if the NDA should contest the election or back a non-UPA candidate.
Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani earlier felt this was a good opportunity to expand the NDA by backing BJD-AIADMK nominee P.A. Sangma. At this juncture, though, the bigger priority is to keep the NDA flock together.
The Congress, meanwhile, is trying to keep its sulking ally, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamul Congress, in good humour. “Mamata Banerjee was our valued ally and continues to be so,” AICC West Bengal in-charge Shakeel Ahmed told reporters on Tuesday.
Replying to questions, Mr Ahmed said: “She (Mamata) had suggested a few names, and I don’t think she has crossed the limit”. He said while “suggesting the name of the Prime Minister was somewhat unwelcome for the Congress... her statement was neither unethical nor undemocratic”.
Mr Ahmed contended that Ms Banerjee had not made a single statement against Mr Mukherjee since his candidature was announced, and said: “We are hopeful she will lead West Bengal to vote for Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential election to ensure en bloc support for him in the state.” The Congress has asked party workers in West Bengal to exercise restraint. The state unit of the party had demanded that it snap its ties with the Trinamul Congress.
The talk in Congress circles is that Mr Mukherjee will go home to Birbhum district on June 23 — his first visit to his home state after his presidential candidature was announced. It is widely expected that Mr Mukherjee will use the opportunity to bring Ms Mamata Banerjee on board.
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, in a statement in Saamna, his party mouthpiece, said on Tuesday: “Let bygones be bygones. Let us unanimously support Pranab Mukherjee and show the world hum sab ek hai (We are all united).”
The JD(U) too appears to be sticking to its stand that there should be a consensus on Mr Mukherjee.