JD(U) to go with NDA's decision on prez poll: Nitish

Bihar chief minister says the coalition needs to build a consensus on its candidates

Favouring a consensus amidst division in the NDA over opposing UPA Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that the JD(U) would 'go with the NDA's decision'.

"Like the other constituents, the JD(U) too will abide by the final decision on the Presidential poll", Kumar told reporters here.

Kumar, however, refrained from clearly spelling out whether his party, JD-U, will support a contest against Mukherjee, saying, "There has been free and fair discussion (in the NDA meeting)".

"We are in favour of consensus (on the Presidential poll) but how will there be a consensus on the issue unless NDA itself comes up with a consensus. Efforts are on to build a consensus and, hence, consultations are continuing in NDA", he said.

Kumar said the NDA had sufficient time to take a final decision to put up its own candidate or support any other candidate in the fray and hold more talks.

"Talks are going on. More discussions will follow. A churning of views is going on in the NDA. As long as a decision is not taken, it is not appropriate for the allies to give their viewpoints outside", he said when asked whether JD-U would support an NDA contest against Mukherjee's candidature.

He said, "There is no need for anybody to air their own view on the Presidential poll. It is called oneupmanship".