New Delhi:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is in Delhi today for the meeting with the Prime Minister and Home Minister over the NCTC. When asked about whom her party would supports in the upcoming Presidential polls she made it clear that no party was seeking her support. "No one has approached us for our support as yet," she said. Even when questioned in Chennai, Ms Jayalalithaa made it clear that she was going to be in Delhi for the NCTC meeting and not to discuss the President elections.
The AIADMK headed by Ms Jayalalithaa is not officially part of the NDA opposition, but it would seem prudent for the BJP or the Left to approach her to garner support for their choice of candidate.
In the meanwhile, after a meeting yesterday with the Prime Minister, Mamata Banerjee has refused to give the Congress the reassurances it was hoping for. Ms Banerjee, an unpredictable ally, has said that "all options are open" when it comes to deciding who she will support as a candidate for the election for President of India.
How the government handles the bailout package for West Bengal could influence Ms Banerjee's support for a candidate selected by the Congress for the elections for president, which will be held in June.
Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party, another partner in the UPA, has also said that no names have been shared with him by the Congress and that his party has therefore not taken a decision on the presidential election.