Shiv Sena has extended its support for Ram Nath Kovind, the BJP's nominee for the Presidential Election.
"We are supporting Ram Nathji's candidature and our best wishes are with him", Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said after a 90-minute meeting with his party leaders at his Bandra home in Mumbai.
The BJP chief's upcoming meeting with Thackeray assumes significance as Shiv Sena has threatened to take an "independent stand" in the presidential election and also in wake of the ongoing war of words between allies over issues like farm loan waiver and the possibility of snap polls in Maharashtra. Azad's meeting comes ahead of a June 21 JD-U meeting on the presidential election. "After the announcement of the presidential candidate, Shah called me once again and told me that the names suggested by us were indeed considered, but they had their reasons for not fielding them", Thackeray said. Kovind is likely to file his papers on 23 June, BJP president Amit Shah said in Delhi after a almost two-hour meeting of the party's parliamentary board. One was of (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat.
When we asked the bookie, what is the next step you are planning, he said, "Like me, many people from Maharashtra have suffered because of such unexpected decision. But if anybody has objections to him, then Swaminathan should be made the President", Thackeray told media persons.
Thackeray had said Sena had proposed Bhagwat's name while keeping in mind the concept of "Hindurashtra" (Hindu nation).
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Bhagwat, however, didn't show any interest whereas Swaminathan chose not to react.
The Shiv Sena's relations with the BJP have been particularly choppy of late. Senior Congress leaders could meet under the chairmanship of Sonia Gandhi if BJP announces its candidature today. The total strength of the electoral college which votes to elect the President comprises all elected MPs and members of legislative assemblies of all states and UTs of Delhi and Puducherry. The total value of MP votes of the UPA is 10,620.
The Shiv Sena taunted its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying the party should focus on bringing stability to "sensitive areas" such as Kashmir and Darjeeling, rather than worrying about mid-term elections and completing a full five-year term in Maharashtra, Hindustan Times reported.
"Shivsainik is not just a burning ember, but will rise like a forest fire", he had said.
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