NDA to back Shekhawat for Presidential election

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) today decided to back Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the post of the next President, who will contest as an independent candidate.

New Delhi/Bikaner (Rajasthan), June 18 : The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) today decided to back Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the post of the next President, who will contest as an independent candidate.

The announcement was made at the meeting of the opposition alliance at former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's residence here.

Announcing the decision, Vajpayee told reporters that Shekhawat discharged his responsibilities as Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman "entirely beyond party affiliations and with impeccable secular credentials."

However, Shiv Sena did not break its silence today as they will make announcement in this regard on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Shekhawat's maternal family congregated in the familial home in Bikaner to celebrate his nomination and pray he wins the forthcoming polls."Ever since the announcement of Singh's name as a presidential candidate, the entire family is very happy. The entire state of Rajasthan wants him to become President," said Digvijay Singh, Shekhawat's cousin.The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) has named Prathibha Patil, presently Governor of Rajasthan as their candidate. A consensus on Patil is unlikely as BJP has declared that the July 19 poll will not go unopposed.

ANI