Swaraj held a meeting with JD(U) President and NDA Convenor Sharad Yadav this morning in Parliament House to discuss the issue. Sources said both parties have agreed to be silent on the issue till a meeting of the NDA is held and a final call is made on the presidential candidate.
"What Swaraj had said was BJP's view. The matter had not been discussed with other NDA partners, including JD(U). A meeting of NDA will be held soon to discuss the matter," a senior BJP leader said.
JD(U) has reportedly conveyed to BJP that Swaraj's comments against Ansari has put the party in difficulty in Bihar where the two are part of the ruling alliance. JD(U) has been wooing the sizable minority community in the state and her comments would antagonise them.
JD(U)'s main political adversary RJD was the first to publicly say that Ansari can be a candidate for President.
With Swaraj stating Ansari does not have the stature to be President, the issue has been further complicated as JD(U) feels RJD will try to make political capital from it. PTI RC RT