NDA Working Chairperson L K Advani indicated as much when he told reporters here today about the presidential poll, "I dont see anything wrong in a contest in a democracy."
A sizable section in NDA does not want to be seen standing with UPA in the presidential poll just a few months before the assembly and 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
He also ruled out the possibility of a quid pro quo with the government on the Vice-President's post for which BJP leader Jaswant Singh is believed to be keen.
"We had ruled that possibility out at the very outset. Sushma Swaraj had made a statement two months ago. There was a talk that Congress and BJP may have a give-and-take and have consensus for President and Vice-President. Sushma said no," Advani recalled.
The immediate concern for NDA in the wake of Mukherjee's candidature is whom to field against him. A P J Abdul Kalam, whose name had been announced by TMC and SP as their candidate, has reportedly made it clear that he will enter the fray only if he is sure of winning. With SP backing out, there is little possibility that he will contest as the opposition candidate.
BJP itself indicated that former Speaker P A Sangma, who is the candidate of AIADMK and BJD, does not enjoy wide support. (MORE)
