BJP president Amit Shah said on Saturday that his party would consult Opposition parties, which have been working to forge unity over a joint candidate for President, before deciding on the ruling alliance’s choice.
He, however, parried a question whether the BJP would seek to build consensus with the Opposition.
“Consensus is a word that is used in several ways. But we will hold discussions with everybody, including the Opposition,” he told PTI .
‘Secular’ candidate
The Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the Left have spoken about fielding a “secular” Opposition candidate if the BJP-led NDA chose a nominee with Hindutva leanings. However, the ruling coalition is unlikely to be perturbed by the stand of the Opposition because the number in the electoral college favours it.
Mr. Shah declined to discuss the names of the candidates from the NDA, saying no decision was taken yet.
“We have not decided on any name yet. We will first talk to our allies. Then we will talk to Opposition parties,” he said.
The electoral college for the presidential elections has 11,04,546 votes, with the NDA’s tally standing at 5.38 lakh votes. The NDA crossed the majority mark after the YSRCP, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, announced its support for the ruling alliance and the TRS.
