NDA partners meet Vajpayee to discuss Presidential candidate

New Delhi, Jun 15 (UNI) Close on the heels of UPA announcing the name of Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil as its presidential candidates, some of the Opposition parties today met at the residence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to take stock of the latest political situation.

Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav today called on Mr Vajpayee and the two leaders felt that the contest was inevitable in the light of UPA announcing its candidature without even attempting a consensus.

Sources said Mr Yadav assured Mr Vajpayee that the JD (U) would be party to any consensus decision of the NDA on fielding or supporting its nominee on June 18. The NDA has authorised Mr Vajapayee to hold talks with whoever necessary for fielding the next President.

With this, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who has been positioning himself as an Independent nominee to secure the votes from the Third Front, may be the choice of the NDA.

Mr Vajpayee also told Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last night when they called him seeking his support for the UPA's Presidential nominee saying that their call was 'too late' for the NDA to change its mind. They should have called before the actual announcement, informed sources cited him as saying.

The sources said jthe NDA was also hopeful that the Shiv Sena would support the NDA nominee notwithstanding news reports suggesting that it may extend support to Mrs Patil, because of her Maharashtrian background.

UNI