Presidential poll: NCP to go by UPA's choice

New Delhi, June 10 (UNI) The Nationalist Congress Party today said it would go by the UPA decision in making the choice of the candidate for the Presidential elections next month.

''Our party president Sharad Pawar has already said the NCP would go along with the choice of the UPA coalition on the issue,'' said party general secretary Tariq Anwar on the margins of the function to commemorate NCP's 9th foundation day.

''There are no two opinions on the issue that we would go by the choice of the UPA on the issue, though they have not yet finalised any candidate as yet.'' On Vice-Presudent Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's likely candidature, Mr Anwar said he is welcome if he decides to jump into the fray but the UPA wishes to have a consensus candidate for the post of the President, which is a constitutional post.

''The UPA is trying to take the Opposition into confidence on the issue so that a consensus candidate is decided. And whatever it decides would be acceptable to our party.'' In reply to a query on whether the party had reservations on Home Minister Shivraj Patil being nominated for the post, he said no such decisions have been taken on any candidate, while accepting that some names have been proposed from the NCP side as well.

UNI