National Democratic Alliance (NDA) remained indecisive on the selection of a Presidential candidate even as consultations among political parties on the issue gained momentum.
New Delhi May 23: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) remained indecisive on the selection of a Presidential candidate even as consultations among political parties on the issue gained momentum.
Rajnath Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief said on Wednesday that former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had been entrusted with the task of consulting its allies to decide on the Presidential candidate.
"The NDA has authorised Vajpayee to consult all its allies regarding the Presidential candidate. He will hold talks with all the groups and then inform us during an NDA meeting," said, Singh following a meeting at Vajpayee's residence here today.
BJP had earlier made it clear that it was seeking elevation of Vice President Bhairon Singh Sekhawat for the post of President, and in this regard the party had also held consultations with its alliance partners earlier this month.
However, the meeting remained indecisive on the issue and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee had dramatically proposed Vajpayee's candidature for the highest constitutional post.
But Vajpayee has reportedly rejected the proposal.
Rajnath Singh today also took the opportunity to slam the Congress-led - United Progressive Alliance (UPA), for its failure to curb terrorism in the country.
Condemning Tuesday's serial blasts in Gorakhpur, in which at least five people were injured, Singh slammed the government for what it termed its soft attitude towards terrorists.
The serial explosions came after a bomb blast in at historic Mecca mosque in Hyderabad in which 11 people were killed during Friday prayers, triggering clashes between angry Muslims and police. Five people were shot dead by police in the ensuing clashes.
"It's not just a question of Gorakhpur, such incidents keep occurring. Terrorists have become more determined especially after the UPA came to power. UPA has never taken terrorism as a real challenge. The government should consider terrorism as a challenge and take stringent action against the militants. The very first requirement remains a stringent law to deal with the menace of terrorism, said Singh.
During the NDA rule, we had a law called Prevention of Terrorist activities and Disruptive Act (POTA) to deal strictly with the terrorists. But the law was scrapped without any alternative law due to UPA government's policy of appeasement, thus giving more teeth to the terrorists," Singh added.
ANI