New Delhi:
His party will reveal its plans for the Presidential elections only after meeting its allies tomorrow, but BJP leader and lawyer Ram Jethmalani has jumped right in and declared that he will contest against the UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
The 88-year-old Rajya Sabha MP has told NDTV that he will not let Mr Mukherjee become the President unopposed.
"I might lose, but will still contest Presidential poll. Pranab is a friend, but I oppose his candidature... He hasn't revealed names of black money holders," said Mr Jethmalani, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan.
The BJP core group met this evening to decide its strategy before it consults with its allies on whether to support Mr Mukherjee or get into a contest for the president's post. The BJP-led alliance has so far followed a wait-and-watch policy.
Sources say the BJP might consider backing Mr Mukherjee, particularly since APJ Abdul Kalam, seen as a rival candidate, is reportedly unwilling to run against the Finance Minister. But, sources add, it may ask for its own person as Vice-President in exchange for supporting UPA's candidate. The name of Punjab Chief Minister and veteran Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal and BJP's Jaswant Singh is said to have cropped up in this context. Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral has however rubbished the talks of any quid pro quo.
Pranab Mukherjee was declared the UPA's candidate after a meeting of its allies last evening at the Prime Minister's house. An important ally, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, was however not present at that meet - the decision to nominate the Finance Minister was made much against her wishes.
The Congress is trying to get Mr Mukherjee elected unopposed. Yesterday, after party chief Sonia Gandhi announced his name, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called BJP leaders Nitin Gadkari and Sushma Swaraj to try to bring the opposition on board for a consensus on Mr Mukherjee's candidacy. He is also reportedly calling leaders in Parliament of all other political parties now to gather support for Mr Mukherjee. So far, Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party have decided to back him for President; and the Left too seems to be open to persuasion.
The 88-year-old Rajya Sabha MP has told NDTV that he will not let Mr Mukherjee become the President unopposed.
"I might lose, but will still contest Presidential poll. Pranab is a friend, but I oppose his candidature... He hasn't revealed names of black money holders," said Mr Jethmalani, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan.
The BJP core group met this evening to decide its strategy before it consults with its allies on whether to support Mr Mukherjee or get into a contest for the president's post. The BJP-led alliance has so far followed a wait-and-watch policy.
Sources say the BJP might consider backing Mr Mukherjee, particularly since APJ Abdul Kalam, seen as a rival candidate, is reportedly unwilling to run against the Finance Minister. But, sources add, it may ask for its own person as Vice-President in exchange for supporting UPA's candidate. The name of Punjab Chief Minister and veteran Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal and BJP's Jaswant Singh is said to have cropped up in this context. Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral has however rubbished the talks of any quid pro quo.
Pranab Mukherjee was declared the UPA's candidate after a meeting of its allies last evening at the Prime Minister's house. An important ally, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, was however not present at that meet - the decision to nominate the Finance Minister was made much against her wishes.
The Congress is trying to get Mr Mukherjee elected unopposed. Yesterday, after party chief Sonia Gandhi announced his name, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called BJP leaders Nitin Gadkari and Sushma Swaraj to try to bring the opposition on board for a consensus on Mr Mukherjee's candidacy. He is also reportedly calling leaders in Parliament of all other political parties now to gather support for Mr Mukherjee. So far, Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party have decided to back him for President; and the Left too seems to be open to persuasion.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
