JD (U) likely to support opposition nominee in VP polls

Mangalore Today News Network

July 07, 2017 DHNS: The Janata Dal (United) is likely to support the joint opposition which is meeting on Tuesday to nominate a candidate for August 5 vice president election.

 

The JD (U) hinted at its preference with its leader KC Tyagi on Thursday saying that the party will attend if invited for combined opposition meeting to pick a nominee for vice president election. "Yes, if we are invited then we will surely attend the opposition meeting on vice presidential elections," Tyagi told a news agency.

A Congress leader, however, wanted an assurance from Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on JD (U)’s participation in the opposition meet.

The last date for filling of nominations ends on July 18.

The Bihar regional party had, however, refused to attend the opposition meeting in the run up to announce Meira Kumar as its candidate to take on NDA’s Ram Nath Kovind for the presidential election. JDU leader Nitish Kumar’s decision to back Kovind, a former Bihar governor, had sparked off bickering among the opposition and rumour that the chief minister was inching closer to former ally BJP.

But, now back channel efforts are on to bridge the divide between the Congress, the JDU and RJD – the ruling alliance partners of Bihar.

BJP sources said no talks have taken place with the JD(U) leaders seeking its support as the NDA on its own is in a comfortable position due to sizeable numbers it has in the combined strength of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In vice president electon, MPs from the two Houses only vote. The total number of members in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is 790 and each MP carries one vote only.

The JDU has taken situation specific different position in the past for elections to the two constitutional posts.

The BJP, however, is expected to call a meeting of its highest decision making body -- parliamentary board -- sometime between July 13 to July 15 to announce its nominee for the elections. That is the only window available when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president will be in Delhi. With July 16 being Sunday and voting for Presidential election scheduled for the following Monday, the BJP will have to take a decision in the next week, explained a party general secretary.

The BJP is trying to use the election to consolidate its position in southern and northeastern parts of the country. The party is particularly keen to make inroads in South to fill leadership and presence void ahead of 2019 general elections, a BJP leader stated hinting that the region could be a hunting ground for selection of the nominee for the vice president’s postThe Janata Dal (United) is likely to support the joint opposition which is meeting on Tuesday to nominate a candidate for August 5 vice president election.

The JD (U) hinted at its preference with its leader KC Tyagi on Thursday saying that the party will attend if invited for combined opposition meeting to pick a nominee for vice president election. "Yes, if we are invited then we will surely attend the opposition meeting on vice presidential elections," Tyagi told a news agency.

A Congress leader, however, wanted an assurance from Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on JD (U)’s participation in the opposition meet.

The last date for filling of nominations ends on July 18.

The Bihar regional party had, however, refused to attend the opposition meeting in the run up to announce Meira Kumar as its candidate to take on NDA’s Ram Nath Kovind for the presidential election. JDU leader Nitish Kumar’s decision to back Kovind, a former Bihar governor, had sparked off bickering among the opposition and rumour that the chief minister was inching closer to former ally BJP.

But, now back channel efforts are on to bridge the divide between the Congress, the JDU and RJD – the ruling alliance partners of Bihar.

BJP sources said no talks have taken place with the JD(U) leaders seeking its support as the NDA on its own is in a comfortable position due to sizeable numbers it has in the combined strength of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In vice president electon, MPs from the two Houses only vote. The total number of members in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is 790 and each MP carries one vote only.

The JDU has taken situation specific different position in the past for elections to the two constitutional posts.

The BJP, however, is expected to call a meeting of its highest decision making body -- parliamentary board -- sometime between July 13 to July 15 to announce its nominee for the elections. That is the only window available when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president will be in Delhi. With July 16 being Sunday and voting for Presidential election scheduled for the following Monday, the BJP will have to take a decision in the next week, explained a party general secretary.

The BJP is trying to use the election to consolidate its position in southern and northeastern parts of the country. The party is particularly keen to make inroads in South to fill leadership and presence void ahead of 2019 general elections, a BJP leader stated hinting that the region could be a hunting ground for selection of the nominee for the vice president’s post