Amit Shah constitutes committee to build consensus about President candidate for upcoming poll

A three-member committee to consult political parties, including the opposition, in a bid to reach a consensus about a presidential candidate for the upcoming poll was constituted by BJP President Amit Shah on Monday.

The committee, comprising senior union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and M Venkaiah Naidu, will hold talks with BJP allies and opposition parties for the election, the BJP said.

“This committee will consult leaders of different political parties over the presidential poll and try to evolve a consensus,” a BJP statement said.

The filing of nomination for the election begins on June 14 and continues till June 28. The poll is scheduled for July 17.

Opposition parties have been holding consultations among themselves over the election to the top constitutional post and are likely to field a candidate if the BJP-led NDA choose somebody with strong Hindutva leanings.

The BJP on its part has so far given little indication of its choice.

A strong section within the party is of the view that it should pick a nominee with strong ideological moorings as it now has the numbers to ensure a victory in the poll if the opposition parties put up a candidate.

Also read: We have not taken any decision regarding presidential election: Amit Shah

Though the BJP’s committee of three veterans will consult political parties across the ideological spectrum, the final decision on the nominee will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah.

Only after the BJP announces its candidate will the opposition parties, including the Congress and the Left, take a final call on a candidate.

The electorate, comprising elected Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members and members of state assemblies, is tilted in favour of the ruling NDA, but the opposition is trying to woo some regional parties to support their candidate.

Also read: Congress demands apology from Shah for his remarks on Mahatma Gandhi; says it is insult to ‘father of the nation’