No comments by BJP on Atal's Prez candidature

New Delhi, May 16: The BJP today refused to comment on reports that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee himself was in the race for the presidency. Asked if Mr Vajpayee will hold consultations with political parties and leaders about National Democratic Alliance putting up its candidate for President and Vice-President posts, BJP Parliamentary Party Spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the parties had entrusted Mr Vajpayee with the task. ''I have no authority to say anything that has been decided,'' he said.

He said since the NDA parties were capable of returning their own candidates for these coveted posts, they had authorised Mr Vajpayee to hold discussions.

Reports after yesterday's NDA leaders' meeting said Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee had proposed that Mr Vajpayee should be the NDA's Presidential nominee while the rumours are agog that the NDA will propose the name of Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the presidency.

UNI