Opposition may discuss vice presidential poll on July 11

The opposition parties are likely to meet on July 11 to discuss Vice President's election, as they are contemplating to field a joint candidate for the August 5 poll to elect the successor of M. Hamid Ansari.

According to sources, senior Congress leaders are in talks with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to bring him on board for the vice presidential election.

"The issues have been resolved between the two parties," said a Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader.

Earlier, an informal opposition grouping of 17 parties, except Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD-U, fielded former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar as the candidate for the presidential election to contest against the NDA's candidate Ram Nath Kovind.

Nitish Kumar has announced his support for Kovind, who was Bihar Governor when his candidature was announced by the NDA.

The last date for filing nomination for the vice presidential election is July 18, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on July 19. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is July 21.

Hamid Ansari has been Vice President and ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha since August 11, 2007. He won the second term on August 11, 2012. His current term ends on August 10.

--IANS

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