Regional parties postpone stand on Presidential elections

Hyderabad, June 6 (UNI) The meeting of seven regional parties, here today called by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), failed to decide on its stand for the upcoming Presidential elections.

Amid a number of options, including abstension, the meeting -- believed to be a very crucial one to take forward the concept of ''Third Front,''-- ended in an anti-climax with the parties deciding to meet at Chennai ''after the issuance of notification'' for the election of the President.

The question of an ''alternative'' and support to ''independent'' Bhairon Singh Shekawat as a candidate speculated in a section of the media, was dropped as ''rumours''.

''We held only preliminary discussions today on the issue'', AIADMK General Secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief J Jayalalitha told mediapersons after the meeting.

''Only after the notification is issued, we will know who are the candidates and we will be able to take a decision'', Indian National Lok Dal President and former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Choutala added.

The meeting, coming close on the heels of the conclave in Allahabad, was also attended by Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav, Amar Singh and S Bangarappa, MDMK leader Vaiko Jharkhand Vikas Morcha leader Babulal Marandi and Asom Gana Parishad Brindawan Goswami.

UNI