NDA split over President poll, meet inconclusive

Sharp divisions within the NDA emerged on Sunday over the decision of supporting Pranab Mukherjee's candidature for the post of President and there was also lack of clarity on extending support to PA Sangma.

The NDA spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said that they will take a final call on the issue only after having consultations with the chief ministers of the NDA ruled states.

Sources said that Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj were keen on a contest against Pranab. The JD(U), on the other hand, insisted that Pranab shouldn't be challenged.

Meanwhile, another ally the Shiv Sena on Sunday met in Mumbai and authorised its chief Bal Thackeray to take a decision as they are waiting for the NDA to finalise their stand.

At a two-hour meeting of the NDA which was skipped by Shiv Sena, JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari is believed to disfavoured a contest against Pranab because of his stature, reflecting a divide in the coalition.

There was also a strong view that supporting Sangma would help NDA win back AIADMK and BJD. However, to finetune this, talks should be held with leaders of these parties before any decision is reached, sources said.

The NDA coalition was also not clear whether Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee would agree to shunning APJ Abdul Kalam and supporting Sangma.

After the meeting at BJP leader LK Advani's residence, NDA convener Sharad Yadav told reporters, "Various leaders put forth their views in detail. More discussions are required in this regard to arrive at the right decision.

"LK Advani will talk to Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states and all others. NDA will meet sometime later again to take a decision in this regard. Those outside (Delhi) will also be consulted."

Sources said that a part of the NDA felt it was better to wait and see what the Left's stance was going to be. The parties felt that if the Left too was not in favour of the UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee, then the NDA could think of getting its support for PA Sangma, said sources.

RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat said, "Kalam is a nice man. NDA will decide who is going to be their candidate."

Sangma, meanwhile, has sought support from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar and said that he has sought Mamata's support too.

The Trinamool Congress supremo, however, remains adamant that she will not support anybody but APJ Abdul Kalam. The West Bengal Chief Minister has even launched a Facebook page to explain his support for him.

There are sections within the NDA, like Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy, who want Kalam to contest.

However, with Kalam rejecting outright any possibility of him contesting, the NDA seems likely, in days to come, to agree on Sangma.

(With additional inputs from PTI)