Prez Polls: BSP to support UPA candidate

New Delhi, June 12: The UPA coalition's efforts to ensure the victory of its Presidential candidate received a boost today when BSP supremo Mayawati announced that she had reached a consensus with Congress President Sonia Gandhi on their nominee for the coveted post.

Addressing a press conference while winding up her four-day visit to the national capital, she said the name of the candidate would be announced by Ms Gandhi.

'' I held a detailed meeting with Ms Gandhi over dinner last night at my residence here during which the issue was discussed threadbare and we arrived at a consensus on the Presidential nominee,'' Ms Mayawati said. She made it clear that there was no question of the BSP supporting an ''NDA and non-secular candidate' for the post.

Ms Mayawati said the mediapersons must be eager to know her party's stand on the Presidential poll. However, she said she would not divulge the name of the candidate, which would be done by Ms Gandhi shortly. ''You people are always pointing out to me that I formed government with the support of the BJP thrice...this was done in view of the extraordinary circumstances prevailing in the state then,'' she told the media.

She clarified that she was in favour of fresh elections in the state whenever there was a fractured mandate. However, the people at large in the state were opposed to fresh elections, compelling her to form government with the BJP's support.

''This time around, I have secured an absolute majority in the assembly. This will allow me to take decisions without interference from any quarter,'' she added.

Asked why there was so much delay in the finalisation of the party's stand on the Presidential poll, the Chief Minister said she was busy with streamlining the law and order situation and giving final touches to the annual plan exercise.

''The time has now come to take a decision on the Presidential election which is round the corner,'' she added.

UNI

Related Stories

News In Focus:

>