New Delhi:
BJP leader and veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani has expressed his willingness to contest against the UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee for the July 19 Presidential polls.
The 88-year-old Rajya Sabha MP told NDTV that he will not let Mr Mukherjee become the President unopposed as he has failed to disclose the names of those who have black money stashed abroad.
"Pranab Mukherjee is not the person who should become the President of this country because he has totally misbehaved in the matter of black money and its recovery. And he is guilty of disobeying the Supreme Court and he is concealing the identities of those whose identities have been given to us by the French government, by the German government and even the Swiss government. And he is concealing the identities of those people despite a clear order of the Supreme Court. I can't allow this man to be the President... at least these will be one Ram Jethmalani who will stand up to his conscience and say, 'No, he doesn't deserve it'," Mr Jethmalani told NDTV from Detroit.
In an embarrassment of sorts ahead of the crucial NDA meeting, sources say that Mr Jethmalani has not spoken to the party yet. And for the moment, the BJP is not saying much on Mr Jethmalani's possible candidature.
"I've heard through the media that Mr Jethmalani has expressed such willingness. I can't comment on anyone's capability. We take decisions on such issues in party forum," said BJP leader Rajnath Singh.
The BJP core group met last 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.
Sources also say that a section of the BJP wants the contest. And it is not averse to backing AIADMK and BJD choice PA Sangma. And if a contest happens, BJP may seek Mamata Banerjee's support for Mr Sangma.
Pranab Mukherjee was declared the UPA's candidate after a meeting of its allies on Friday 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 told NDTV that he will not let Mr Mukherjee become the President unopposed as he has failed to disclose the names of those who have black money stashed abroad.
"Pranab Mukherjee is not the person who should become the President of this country because he has totally misbehaved in the matter of black money and its recovery. And he is guilty of disobeying the Supreme Court and he is concealing the identities of those whose identities have been given to us by the French government, by the German government and even the Swiss government. And he is concealing the identities of those people despite a clear order of the Supreme Court. I can't allow this man to be the President... at least these will be one Ram Jethmalani who will stand up to his conscience and say, 'No, he doesn't deserve it'," Mr Jethmalani told NDTV from Detroit.
In an embarrassment of sorts ahead of the crucial NDA meeting, sources say that Mr Jethmalani has not spoken to the party yet. And for the moment, the BJP is not saying much on Mr Jethmalani's possible candidature.
"I've heard through the media that Mr Jethmalani has expressed such willingness. I can't comment on anyone's capability. We take decisions on such issues in party forum," said BJP leader Rajnath Singh.
The BJP core group met last 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.
Sources also say that a section of the BJP wants the contest. And it is not averse to backing AIADMK and BJD choice PA Sangma. And if a contest happens, BJP may seek Mamata Banerjee's support for Mr Sangma.
Pranab Mukherjee was declared the UPA's candidate after a meeting of its allies on Friday 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.
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