The Hindu : Front Page : Shekhawat to run for Rashtrapati Bhavan as non-UPA candidate?

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Saturday, Jun 02, 2007
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Shekhawat to run for Rashtrapati Bhavan as non-UPA candidate?

Special Correspondent

IN THE RACE: Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

NEW DELHI: It is evident that Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has already begun campaigning with top party bosses for support to his candidature for President.Just two days ago he met veteran CPI (M) leader Jyoti Basu, who has however made it clear that his party will not support the candidate of a "communal" party.

However, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders maintained here on Friday that the joint candidate of the BJP and supporting parties in the National Democratic Alliance would be announced later by the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was authorised to do so at the last NDA meeting.

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "The matter has been left to Mr. Vajpayee by the NDA. However, there is no denying that we will be happy to see a man of Mr. Shekhawat's stature become President."

Vajpayee to take decision

It seems that Mr. Vajpayee will take a decision depending on who the candidate of the Congress and the United Progressive Alliance is. However, with Mr. Shekhawat seemingly keen on the job, even if it means a contest, there is a view that he could perhaps be projected as a non-UPA candidate rather than as an NDA nominee.

The idea seems to be that Mr. Shekhawat should be helped in his quest for support from parties who do not want to be seen supporting the BJP-led NDA.

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