NDA may fall in line with UPA, back Mukherjee

The BJP-led NDA may join in to support Pranab Mukherjee as the next President. Top BJP leaders may find it difficult to resist the appeals made by PM Manmohan Singh, UPA chief Sonia Gandhi and Mukherjee himself.

The BJP-led NDA may join in to support Pranab Mukherjee as the next President. Top BJP leaders may find it difficult to resist the appeals made by PM Manmohan Singh, UPA chief Sonia Gandhi and Mukherjee himself.

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The finance minister has had excellent personal ties with all BJP leaders. The PM spoke to Advani and others after Mukherjee's name was announced. He also had a word with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who may not be averse to backing Mukherjee.

Also, ex-President APJ Abdul Kalam, who was high on the NDA's list, may not risk contesting an election when UPA "seems to be sure of victory."

Secondly, with the SP and the BSP backing him, BJP insiders say party leaders may not see any big political purpose being served by putting up a candidate against Mukherjee.

On the other hand, there is also a view that if the NDA backs Mukherjee there could be a possibility of reaching an understanding with the government for the post of Vice-President.