BJP says no to PM's call to back UPA nominee

BJP ruled out the possibility of supporting the UPA's candidate for Presidency, describing PM's suggestion to the NDA to back UPA's nominee as "unfortunate" .

The main opposition BJP on Sunday ruled out the possibility of supporting the UPA's candidate for Presidency, describing as "unfortunate" Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's suggestion to the NDA to come in support of the ruling alliance's nominee.

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BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi insisted that no parallel can be drawn between the election of APJ Abdul Kalam as President and the present move by UPA in the upcoming election for the highest office.

"The situation is completely different. During the NDA rule, we held thorough discussions with the then opposition on our choice of the candidate for Presidency unlike today when the Congress has not bothered at all to consult us on who should be the next President," he remarked.

The BJP leader, whose party is believed to have made up his mind to support Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as an independent candidate for presidential election, alleged that the Prime Minister instead has used the media to "instruct" the NDA to back the nominee of the ruling alliance.