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A BJP 'soulmate' at Rashtrapati Bhavan?

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's no-holds-barred attack on Telangana CM Chandrasekhar Rao has also apparently helped the BJP to elicit support from the Telangana Rashtra Samiti.

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Amit Shah
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With numbers swelling in favour of the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the presidential race, there is a possibility that the new president will be an ideological ally of the ruling dispensation. Earlier, BJP President Amit Shah had indicated that the government would engage with the Opposition on fielding a consensus candidate.

The equations have now reversed. Though a united Opposition academically still has a razor-thin edge, with Shah getting the support of a few regional players and the disarray in the Opposition, he and the PM have already decided on the new occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. They further said the issue was also discussed at a recent meeting between Shah and RSS leaders at Nagpur.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's no-holds-barred attack on Telangana CM Chandrasekhar Rao has also apparently helped the BJP to elicit support from the Telangana Rashtra Samiti. The numbers had already turned in favour of NDA, with two factions of the AIADMK competing to offer support to the PM's choice for the next President, and the YSR Congress assuring its backing.

According to sources, the BJP is also anticipating cross voting in Odisha's ruling BJD to add to the numbers in the electoral college. While the Opposition is joining hands to field its own candidate, the BJP is confident that it has enough numbers for their candidate to make a smooth entry to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The BJP is likely to just have a perfunctory consultation with the Opposition. At a meeting on Thursday night, Shah initiated the preparations for holding consultations with non-NDA and non-UPA parties. No name, however, was discussed.

Meanwhile, the Congress said it was still awaiting the government to initiate discussions to put up a consensus candidate. Anand Sharma, Congress leader and spokesman, said "If acceptable, consensual candidates do not emerge, then the opposition parties shall field such persons who shall steadfastly defend the constitutional values of our Republic," he said.

In for the big win

Numbers swelling in favour of BJP-led NDA in the presidential race suggests the new president could have a BJP leaning. 
Earlier, Amit Shah had indicated that the govt would engage with the Oppn on fielding a consensus candidate
Congress says it is still awaiting the government to initiate discussions to put up a consensus candidate.

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