Shekhawat undecided on contesting for Presidential post

New Delhi, May 2 (UNI) As the race for the new occupant in Rashtrapati Bhavan gains momentum, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat says he has not made up his mind yet on whether he wants to be in the fray for the President's post or not.

''I will take a final decision on the issue if political parties approach me,'' he told NDTV in an interview.

However, Mr Shekhawat was quick to point out that his election as the Vice President had shown that he ''has friends in all parties.'' Mr Shekhawat's statement came a day after BJP President Rajnath Singh told NDTV that his party had not yet made up its mind whether to support President APJ Abdul Kalam for a second term or support the Vice-President for the top post.

Left parties have thrown broad hints that they would prefer to have Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee as the next President.

''The Left will be happy if Mr Somnath Chatterjee is the consensus condidate,'' CPI leaders A B Bardhan and Shamim Faizi said, adding that ''the Left have to work in collaboration with the Congress-led UPA coalition after the UP polls are over.'' Dr Kalam, who would be demiting the office in July, has not come out with a categorical statement for seeking a second term in the Raisina Hill.

UNI