Sources close to the Congress President told DNA/WION that Sonia is trying to put up a united face and jointly fight the presidential poll even though the numbers have tilted in favour of the NDA after the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has taken the lead to bring about a consensus in fielding a common Opposition candidate for the upcoming Presidential election.
She met National Conference working president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday and is learnt to have discussed the possibility of putting up an "acceptable face" against NDA's pick. Though NC's senior leader Farooq Abdullah was also invited, he didn't turn up.
Sources close to the Congress President told DNA/WION that Sonia is trying to put up a united face and jointly fight the presidential poll even though the numbers have tilted in favour of the NDA after the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
The Congress chief has already met a number of leaders, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JD-U), NCP President Sharad Pawar, Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja, and an IUML leader from Kerala.
She will meet former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerji in the second week of May.
Even when the Congress was in the opposition last time, Sonia had ensured that contests for constitutional positions were well fought. It was for this reason that in 2002, Sonia deployed Sushil Kumar Shinde against formidable Bhairon Singh Shekawat for the post of the Vice President.
Going by the numbers, BJP has an edge over the Opposition as it has been able to gather substantial numbers in the state legislatures. On top of it, the BJP is expected to get support from the AIADMK, TRS, TDP, Shiv Sena, SAD, PDP, Apna Dal, Mizo National Front and other political smaller formations.
The presidential election has to be held before July 24 when Mukherjee's term ends.
He had taken over the post in July 2012, defeating the NDA candidate late P A Sangma.
...& ANALYSIS
There has been a sudden flurry of activity to forge an alliance to take on Modi-led BJP after its recent win in several states.
Sonia believes that a consensus candidate may well turn out to be a precursor to an anti-NDA front ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
Her aim is take a conscious, concerted and balanced call on a joint candidate in consultation with all Opposition leaders.
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