Shekhawat's chances for Prez post brightens

New Delhi, May 23: The chances of Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat emerging as NDA's consensus choice for the Presidental brightened today with the alliance conveying to President A P J Abdul Kalam that he could not be considered for a second term.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the first time disclosed that the NDA had approached Dr Kalam with an offer to support him for a second term. "Since there were voices against NDA supporting a second term for any one as a matter of 'convention' We have conveyed to Dr Kalam that it would not be possible to extend support to him and he agreed with us", Mr Vajpayee told newspersons while participating in a book release function last night. Otherwise the feeling in the NDA was Dr Kalam himself was not keen on a second term in office.

Last time NDA had built a 'near consensus' around Dr Kalam reducing the Left sponsored contest against him a 'non-event'. This time too we want such a consensus, Mr Vajpayee said.

Mr Vajpayee, who has been authorised to hold negotiations with leaders and parties for a consensus candidate by the NDA leaders, however, is keeping his cards close to his chest by holding back the name of the candidate. The stature of Mr Vajpayee is such that he is capable of holding talks even with arch rivals like the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party at the same time and upset the UPA's applecart, sources said.

Sources in the BJP indicate that the response of BSP Chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati was not forthcoming immediately.

UNI