NDA has formally extended support to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to contest as an independent in the Presidential poll.
NEW DELHI: The Opposition NDA on Monday decided to support Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as an independent candidate for the Presidential elections.
The decision was taken at a crucial meeting of the opposition alliance here chaired by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Announcing the decision, Vajpayee told reporters that Shekhawat discharged his responsibilities as Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman "entirely beyond party affiliations and with impeccable secular credentials".
NDA constituent Shiv Sena, however, reserved its stand on extending support to Shekhawat and decided to take a decision on Tuesday.
"It is our unanimous view that the most qualified and suitable candidate for this high office is only Bhairon Singh Shekhawat," Vajpayee said.
A statement distributed after the meeting said the NDA had taken a formal, duly authorised decision to back Shekhawat for the post of President.
"He combines a lifetime's experience of dedicated public service with rare qualities of head and heart," it said.
The statement described Shekhawat as a public figure of eminence, high repute, unmatched credentials, and noted that he has discharged his latest responsibilities as the country's Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha entirely beyond affiliations and with impeccable secular credentials.
"Convinced of this, the NDA is unanimously of the view that Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, as a non-party and an independent candidate, would be the most appropriate choice," the statement read.
It said the NDA wholeheartedly supports Shekhawat as "an independent candidate for the high office of the President of India" and exuded confidence that his victory was definite.
Talking to reporters later, NDA convenor George Fernandes expressed confidence that Shekhawat will be able to emerge victorious, saying arithmetic is not always static. "We know where we are," he said.
He said this when asked how the NDA could claim a majority for Shekhawat when the numbers were against him.
Asked whether the election will be a repeat of 1969, he said "We will see."
He was referring to the 1969 Presidential elections when Independent candidate V V Giri, backed by Indira Gandhi, had defeated the Congress' official candidate Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy.
"Numbers will come," he said, adding efforts will be made to reach out to all parties.
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