Presidential poll: BSP to support 'suitable' candidate

New Delhi, May 19: With talks on presidential election gaining ground,

chief

on Saturday said her party was keeping a close watch on what other parties were doing over nominating candidates and that she would back a candidate who best fits her party's line of functioning. “Let us see what candidate the UPA and NDA field," she told reporters here.

She said the BSP would take a decision once the UPA and NDA declared their nominees. "As soon as the candidates of the UPA and NDA are known, we will take a decision to support a candidate who suits our party's line of movement," the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said.

She parried a question on whether the BSP would support Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee if he enters the fray as the UPA candidate. "When it is not clear who is the candidate of UPA or NDA, what should I say about the merits or demerits of a particular candidate? Whichever candidate comes before us, we will see whether he suits our party's line of movement," Mayawati said.

When asked about BJD and AIADMK announcing NCP leader PA Sangma as their choice for the top constitutional post, the BSP chief said she had learnt about it only through media reports.

The BSP has 21 members in the Lok Sabha and 15 in the Rajya Sabha while its strength in the UP Assembly is 80. The total value of its vote in the electoral college for the presidential elections is 43,723 while the total value of the electoral college is 10,97,012.

Asked whether the BSP will be a part of a non-UPA, non-NDA alliance, Mayawati said her party would not fall into such traps. "Our party has not thought about it," she said. On the Lokpal Bill, Mayawati said the Centre has to give final shape to the Bill and bring it before the Parliament.

PTI