Shekhawat set to contest Prez poll as independent

NEW DELHI: Unfazed by the swelling numbers for the UPA after BSP's support to the ruling coalition, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is all set to enter the
Presidential election as an independent candidate.

Shekhawat, who met former prime minister A B Vajpayee and other leaders of the opposition alliance following BSP chief Mayawati's announcement, is "all determined" to fight the election to the highest office.

"He is fully prepared," the NDA leader, who requested not to be named, said.

Shekhawat drove down to Vajpayee's residence for a hurriedly-convened meeting, attended by BJP leaders LK Advani, Rajnath Singh and Jaswant Singh and JD(U)'s Sharad
Yadav.

The NDA, which was scheduled to hold a meeting on Wednesday on Presidential elections, postponed it for June 18.

"The NDA will meet on June 18 and take a decision," the BJP chief told reporters in brief remarks when asked who the opposition alliance would field or support as a candidate for Presidency.

"News reports suggest Shekhawat want to contest (these elections) as an independent," Singh said.

He said Vajpayee has been authorised by the NDA to decide on the alliance's stand in this regard.

On Tuesday, the BJP accused the Congress of using tactics to install a loyalist of its chief Sonia Gandhi in the highest office as Mayawati announced her support to the UPA's candidate in the fray.