NDA hints at withdrawing Shekhawat from the race

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Indicating its willingness to withdraw the candidature of Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat from the presidential race, the NDA today said that it would take a final decision on his nomination after discussing the issue with the Vice-President and the NDA constituents.

''The NDA has declared Mr Shekhawat as its nominee...we will take a decision only after due deliberations with him and the NDA constituents,'' senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh said emerging from an hour-long meeting with UNPA leaders at the residence of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

''Till such time, the NDA's views on the issue stands as expressed by its spokesperson Sushma Swaraj and there should be no doubts over it,'' he added.

Mr Singh, flanked by UNPA leader and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, said it was conveyed to the leadership of the eight-party combine that the NDA would be able decide on supporting Dr Kalam only by tomorrow evening when they are expected to meet again.

The NDA's assurance came in the wake of President A P J Abdul Kalam's assurance to UNPA leaders that he would consider to be in the race for Presidentship in the event of ''certainty'' about his election.

Without saying that the NDA might withdraw Mr Shekhawat's candidature, the two leaders said the high offices of President and Vice-President should not be dragged into political arena.

After the UNPA propped up the name of Dr Kalam for a second term, Mr Shekhawat himself had issued a statement that he would appreciate if a consensus builds around the name of the incumbent.

Mr Naidu said the UNPA leaders will try to meet all political party leaders including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leftists tomorrow.

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