Mumbai:
In a major boost to UPA Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee, key NDA constituent Shiv Sena assured him of its support in his bid for the top Constitutional post.
"The Sena will support Pranab Mukherjee (in the Presidential polls), he is a capable candidate," said a top member from the Shiv Sena.
Sources say, the assurance was given to Mr Mukherjee after he called up Sena chief Bal Thackeray and his son Uddhav Thackeray for the second time yesterday. It was then conveyed to Mr Mukherjee and the party members that Shiv Sena would support him.
Shiv Sena, the oldest ideological ally of BJP, was understood to be concerned over the approach of NDA to the Presidential polls and disappointed about the fact that the alliance has not been able finalise its candidate.
"It is really disappointing that after so many meetings, The NDA has not been able zero in on a good candidate," said the Sena member.
Shiv Sena had supported Pratibha Patil in 2007, breaking ranks with BJP as Patil hailed from Maharashtra.
BJP and other NDA constituents had at that time backed late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the post of President.
"The Sena will support Pranab Mukherjee (in the Presidential polls), he is a capable candidate," said a top member from the Shiv Sena.
Sources say, the assurance was given to Mr Mukherjee after he called up Sena chief Bal Thackeray and his son Uddhav Thackeray for the second time yesterday. It was then conveyed to Mr Mukherjee and the party members that Shiv Sena would support him.
Shiv Sena, the oldest ideological ally of BJP, was understood to be concerned over the approach of NDA to the Presidential polls and disappointed about the fact that the alliance has not been able finalise its candidate.
"It is really disappointing that after so many meetings, The NDA has not been able zero in on a good candidate," said the Sena member.
Shiv Sena had supported Pratibha Patil in 2007, breaking ranks with BJP as Patil hailed from Maharashtra.
BJP and other NDA constituents had at that time backed late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the post of President.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
