Efforts to muster consensus for re-election of President APJ Abdul Kalam gained momentum on Wednesday, with the BJP saying it would talk to Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat after Third Front sought its support for second term for the incumbent. The BJP said it would talk to Shekhawat, who is contesting as an independent with NDA backing, on Thursday.
Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh said though the NDA was backing Shekhawat, it would be open to Kalam's re-election if there is consensus as it believes high offices of President and Vice President should never be issues of contention.
His comments came after Third Front leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav, Chandrababu Naidu and Vaiko met former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other senior BJP leaders seeking NDA's support to their demand for re-election of Kalam.