Presidential poll: BJP mum, Opposition steps up efforts

New Delhi, May 21

With the NDA keeping mum over its nominee for the presidential poll, major Opposition parties have intensified efforts to finalise a joint candidate for the top post.

Asked about who would be the NDA's presidential candidate, BJP president Amit Shah today told a TV channel  that a decision on the issue was yet to be taken. 

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"Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first," he said. He rejected the Shiv Sena's proposal to field RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, saying the Sangh had itself rejected the idea.

Despite BJP's emphatic victories in UP and Uttarakhand, the NDA is still short of 20,000 electoral college votes to have the candidate of its choice occupy the top Constitutional position. The KCR Congress and the ruling TRS of Telangana have already promised to back the NDA nominee in the election.

Meanwhile, the Opposition wants to put up a candidate with impeccable secular credentials," said sources. PTI