The Hindu : Front Page : Shekhawat files nomination

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Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007
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Shekhawat files nomination

Gargi Parsai

We are fighting to win, says Vajpayee; Natwar Singh a surprise signatory

NEW DELHI:

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Monday filed his nomination papers for the July 19 Presidential election as an independent candidate backed by the National Democratic Alliance, minus the Shiv Sena and the Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party.

Accompanied by NDA chairman Atal Bihari Vajpayee, convener George Fernandes, alliance leaders Sharad Yadav, Parkash Singh Badal and Naveen Patnaik, senior BJP leaders and five party Chief Ministers, Mr. Shekhawat handed over two sets of nomination papers to Returning Officer P.D. Achary at Parliament House. A surprise signatory to the papers was the former Congress Minister, Natwar Singh.

Legislators from Rajasthan raised slogans such as “Bharat Mata ki jai” and “Hindustan ka ek hi sinh, Bhairon Singh, Bhairon Singh” after Mr. Shekhawat filed his papers.

Asked about the poll outcome, he told The Hindu, “I won’t say anything now. I will speak later.”

Mr. Vajpayee said: “we are chalking out a strategy.” Asked about Mr. Shekhawat’s chances of victory, he said: “we are fighting to win.”

Mr. Vajpayee led the list of 56 proposers on one set of nomination papers and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje another list of 84 proposers. There were 60 and 70 seconders respectively.

NDA spokesperson Sushma Swaraj told journalists that the signatories included 91 Lok Sabha and 31 Rajya Sabha members and hundreds of MLAs. Another set would be filed later as Trinamool Congress representative, Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Trivedi, could not make it on time.

Ms. Swaraj said the NDA was hopeful of victory. ’“We are confident that a majority of voters, including people from the United Progressive Alliance and the United National Progressive Alliance, will favour Mr. Shekhawat. We have already said this election is linked to the nation’s destiny. Mr. Natwar Singh’s presence is a big message to the country.”

‘Son of Rajasthan’

Mr. Natwar Singh said he backed Mr. Shekhawat because he was a “son” of Rajasthan.

“This is not a question of secular or communal politics. He was a good Vice-President and I believe he will make a very good President.”

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