Prez poll: NDA itching for contest, divide persists

After a meeting of the party's core group this evening, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj is understood to have talked to Shiv Sena leadership on a need for a fight and to back the candidature of Sangma, who has been propped up by BJD and AIADMK, against UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.

Similarly, the other allies are also being talked to, sources said.

However, there is a section within NDA, particularly JD(U), which is of the view that a contest against Mukherjee should be avoided as there could be embarrassment for the opposition coalition.

NDA leaders will meet here tomorrow morning to finalise the coalition's position on the issue.

Though there was no official word, all indications were that A P J Abdul Kalam, propped up by Trinamool Congress, may not after all enter the fray in view of the fact that there is no guarantee of his victory.

Sensing the ground situation, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee launched a campaign in the social media, seeking support for Kalam.

Ahead of the NDA meeting, top leaders of BJP -- L K Advani, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj and Ananth Kumar -- met here to firm up the party's stand on the issue with indications that they are not too enthusiastic about Mukherjee. (more)