Earlier in the day, JD (U) decided to support the candidature of the NDA nominee. Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu welcomed the decision of the JD(U) to support and saying it indicates a wider acceptability of the candidate among the non-NDA parties.
It is worth recalling that parties like BJP, Shiv Sena, TDP, TRS, BJD, AIADMK, LJP have declared their support to Mr Kovind. Opposition parties will meet in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss the Presidential election and their choice of Presidential candidate.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi convened a meeting of opposition leaders in this regard. Congress had said that decision by the BJP to choose Ram Nath Kovind as the NDA nominee for Presidential elections was taken unilaterally. Senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had alleged that name of Mr Kovind was not discussed with Congress Party.
According to media reports, former Lok Sabha speaker and Congress leader Meira Kumar is being considered as one of the candidates for President’s post by the opposition. She met Mrs Gandhi at her residence in New Delhi on Wednesday.
However, a final decision will be only made after meeting of opposition parties this evening. JD(U) spokesman K C Tyagi said they will not attend the meeting called by Mrs Gandhi as the party has already decided to support NDA candidate. However, RJD Chief Lalu Prasad has categorically said that his party will go by the decision of the opposition parties meeting. Talking to reporters in Patna Mr Prasad said the party is always with secular forces and no question arises to tie up with feudal forces.