It was Advani the top most head of the BJP first in the race for the President Post. Then came Venkaiah the follower of Advani. After that the opposition it looks like is proposing the name of Sushma Swaraj who is also a follower of Advani. If not Advani it looks like his staunch followers would become the President of India.
Senior BJP leaders will meet Congress president Sonia and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday to discuss the forthcoming presidential election. Union Minister Rajnath and Venkaiah, who are part of the three-member committee constituted by the BJP to pick a candidate for the election, will reach out to the Opposition and hope to arrive at a consensus on the issue.
Highly placed sources told that the two BJP leaders on Wednesday have briefed Prime Minister Modi on the election. The NDA candidate is likely to file the nomination papers on June 23, sources said. With President Pranabs term ending on July 24, the Election Commission announced that polling will begin and end on July 17. Filing of nominations will end on June 28, EC said in a notification. The results will be announced on July 20.
Meanwhile, Opposition leaders from 17 parties, including the Congress, CPM, CPI, TMC, RJD, JDU and more, have met at the national capital today to select a common candidate for the presidential election. The law states that only candidates with the support of 50 or more electors can file nomination. Members of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and of the state legislative assemblies qualify as electors.
