Patna:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is reportedly upset with his ally, the BJP, over its stand on who to support as the candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for July. Current President Pratibha Patil's term expires on July 24.
Mr Kumar, whose Janta Dal (United) runs the government in Bihar with the BJP has taken offence to what he perceives as his ally's unilateral decision to oppose the candidature of Hamid Ansari, currently the vice-president of the country.
Mr Kumar, who enjoys the confidence of the large Muslim population of Bihar, reportedly wanted to back Mr Ansari who belongs to the minority community.
Yesterday, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said that Mr Ansari does not have the stature to serve as president. The Congress , which heads the UPA coalition at the centre, is trying to build consensus for its candidate. It is keen on fielding either Mr Ansari or Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
"What Sushma Swaraj has said may be BJP's opinion. We are not involved in any discussions at the moment," said JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav.
The BJP has said that it will not support any candidate selected by the Congress as it sees the presidential election as a chance to test the Congress' strength ahead of the next general election in 2014. The BJP said it will consider supporting former president APJ Abdul Kalam if he receives the endorsement of the Samajwadi Party. Because the presidential election is based on proportional representation and gives equal weight to MPs and members of state legislative assemblies. (Poll: Who will be India's next President)
The Samajwadi party, headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav, won the UP elections recently with a huge majority, giving it a large say in deciding who becomes the next President of India.
Mr Kumar, whose Janta Dal (United) runs the government in Bihar with the BJP has taken offence to what he perceives as his ally's unilateral decision to oppose the candidature of Hamid Ansari, currently the vice-president of the country.
Mr Kumar, who enjoys the confidence of the large Muslim population of Bihar, reportedly wanted to back Mr Ansari who belongs to the minority community.
Yesterday, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said that Mr Ansari does not have the stature to serve as president. The Congress , which heads the UPA coalition at the centre, is trying to build consensus for its candidate. It is keen on fielding either Mr Ansari or Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
"What Sushma Swaraj has said may be BJP's opinion. We are not involved in any discussions at the moment," said JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav.
The BJP has said that it will not support any candidate selected by the Congress as it sees the presidential election as a chance to test the Congress' strength ahead of the next general election in 2014. The BJP said it will consider supporting former president APJ Abdul Kalam if he receives the endorsement of the Samajwadi Party. Because the presidential election is based on proportional representation and gives equal weight to MPs and members of state legislative assemblies. (Poll: Who will be India's next President)
The Samajwadi party, headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav, won the UP elections recently with a huge majority, giving it a large say in deciding who becomes the next President of India.
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