Bal Thackeray to decide on Prez candidate: Shiv Sena

Mumbai/New Delhi, June 17 (ANI): Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said the top brass of the NDA had spoken to his party chief Bal Thackeray with regard to the presidential candidate, and added that the latter would be taking a decision soon.

"The nominee announced by the Congress party, or the name of any other nominee was not discussed in today's meeting, the NDA is yet to take a decision and another meeting has been scheduled by the NDA and later Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray will take the decision," said Raut.

"All the senior leaders of NDA in New Delhi have spoken to Bal Thackeray and he will take the decision," he added.

Division in the NDA on the issue of the presidential candidate came to the fore today with Shiv Sena leaders skipping the key meeting of alliance leaders in New Delhi.

Shiv Sena, which is the oldest ideological ally of the BJP, had last time backed Pratibha Devisingh Patil's candidature to the coveted post.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which met here today to decide on the presidential candidate, to firm up a position on the presidential poll as it was divided over opposing UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee and there was lack of clarity on extending support to P A Sangma.

"We will consult and deliberate with the chief minister of NDA-ruled states and leaders of other parties and would take final decision in next meeting," Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief and NDA convener Sharad Yadav told media here after the nearly-two-hour long meeting at Advani's residence.

The presidential elections will be held on July 19. The vote count will take place on July 22.

Pratibha Devisingh Patil's term as President ends on July 24. (ANI)