BJP's presidential nominee announcement leaves no scope for discussion: Left

Accusing the BJP of unilaterally deciding its presidential candidate, the Left parties on Monday said there was no more scope for discussion with the ruling party and the issue would now be decided among opposition.

Referring to Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu reaching out to opposition parties earlier over the presidential polls, both CPI-M and CPI said they did not expect a "unilateral" decision from the BJP.

"During the meeting (with Naidu and Rajnath), they wanted a consensus but did not come up with a name. They said they will get back to us with a name later.

"Now that they have made the decision unilaterally, there is no more scope for discussion with them," Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury told the media here.

Refusing to comment on NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind, Yechury said the opposition parties will decide their strategy during the June 22 meeting to be chaired by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Asked if the opposition parties will field a candidate against Kovind, Yechury replied: "Except Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, never has a president been elected without a contest."

Communist Party of India leader D. Raja said the BJP's announcement was "non-transparent".

"When Rajnath and Naidu called us to discuss candidates for presidential elections, they said they have no names in mind and wanted to know our suggestions.

"They told us that they will consider our suggestions but have now announced their candidate unilaterally in a non-transparent manner," said Raja.

"We will discuss within our party and would consult other opposition parties and will arrive at a collective decision as early as possible," he added.

--IANS

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