NDA to offer VP post to UNPA to secure support for Shekhawat

New Delhi, July 6: The opposition NDA is likely to offer the Vice President's post to the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) in an effort to win their support for its Presidential candidate Bhairan Singh Shekhawat.

An indication to this effect was given by a top BJP leader, involved in discussions with political parties and group of MPs on a non-Congress platform. The leader, not wanting to be quoted, said that the party's Parliamentary Board will be meeting in a day or two to discuss the strategy for the Vice President's election scheduled to be held on August 10.

The move assumes significance in light of the NDA's ''isolation'' in the presidential election with its candidate unlikely to make it to Rashtrapati Bhawan, without explicit support from the eight-party alliance, which together accounts for about one lakh votes in the electoral college.

The UNPA, on its part, although denouncing the UPA's Presidential nominee as a 'Joke on the nation', has also not promised any support to Mr Shekhawat, stating that it would rather abstain from voting than supporting him.

Once the BJP leadership gets the nod from the party's parliamentary board, the plan would be discussed with the NDA partners. Telugu Desam Party Chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is likely to be in Delhi to secure a broad consensus on opposition candidate, the sources added.

UNI

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