New Delhi, June 20 (IBNS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Wednesday postponed the meeting on reaching a consensus over its nominee for India’s upcoming Presidential election.
The NDA was scheduled to meet on Wednesday to decide its stand on the issue.
According to reports, the NDA will watch the decision taken by the Left parties during their meeting on the Presidential poll.
The BJP was left in the lurch after Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday backed the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA)'s nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
Coupled with ally Shiv Sena’’s backing for the Finance Minister’s candidature, the BJP was seen being cornered into a tight spot as it sought to build a consensus within the NDA.
Yeddyurappa, a veteran of the BJP whose ties with the party brass has been strained off late, conveyed his decision to BJP high command.
The BJP-led NDA have not named its candidate for the poll so far and the Karnataka leader’s move came on a day when the Shiv Sena, a member of the NDA, batted for Mukherjee as a suitable candidate to be the next President of India.
In his party mouthpiece Saamna, Sena supremo Bal Thackeray called Mukherjee a capable candidate.
He also expressed regret that NDA could not find its own candidate for the post.
A section of BJP is also in favour of Mukherjee.
Senior BJP leader Maneka Gandhi on Monday said the Union Finance Minister is a capable candidate for the post.
"Pranab Mukjerjee ji is very kabil (capable) person," Gandhi said.
Despite several meetings, the NDA is yet to come out with its candidate for the Presidential poll or arrive at a consensus on Mukherjee.
Even though a faction within the NDA, supposedly led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is in favour of supporting Pranab Mukherjee for the President’s post, a more influential group intends to settle for a different nominee, media reports have said.
India’s 2012 Presidential election, entangled in unprecedented political jockeying, scheduled for an electoral college vote on July 19.