Presidential polls: Opposition joins hand to put up secular candidate

Even before the verdict of the Uttar Pradesh, members of the opposition have got together to put up a candidate for the Presidential elections. The UP verdict would however be crucial and the BJP will need to win big if it is to have its say in the Presidential election. If the victory margin is not big then the BJP led NDA will have to settle for a consensus candidate.

The likes of Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik have already met and are discussing the issue. Nitish has already met with leaders of the CPI(M), CPI and the INLD to churn out a candidate for President.

Nitish and Naveen also met in Bhubaneshwar to discuss a host of issues including a Presidential candidate. The opposition is likely to come together and put up a joint candidate for the Presidential elections in July. The BJP on the other hand has decided to wait and watch. We will take a call after the election results for the five states are announced, a BJP leader told OneIndia.

The President is elected through an electoral college. The college comprises
4,896 legislators, 776 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, and 4,120 MLAs. Each MLA's vote carries a value proportionate to the population of the state as per 1971 Census.

OneIndia News