Shekhawat to file Prez poll papers tomorrow

Despite the numbers not being in his favour, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will file his nomination tomorrow for the Presidential poll as an independent backed by the NDA, hoping to mop up support from rival formations.

Given the unity displayed by the UPA-Left grouping against a second term for incumbent A P J Abdul Kalam, 84-year-old Shekhawat has a hard time ahead of the July 19 poll against the ruling combine's nominee Pratibha Patil.This is against the backdrop of claims that the three-time Rajasthan chief minister has "friends" in many parties.

The newly formed Third Front, christened the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), has already ruled out supporting Shekhawat.

There are no takers in the ruling alliance for the talk in the NDA camp of a "conscience vote" as in the 1969 Presidential election and members of the UPA-Left combine are hoping it will be smooth sailing for Patil.