Differences in NDA over Presidential candidate?

NEW DELHI: Differences appeared to have cropped up in the NDA over the Presidential election with JD(U) saying the BJP's stand on the contest was not its view.

"Whatever Sushma Swaraj has said is the opinion of the BJP. This is not our party's view," JD(U) President and NDA Convenor Sharad Yadav told reporters here.

He was reacting to questions on Swaraj's statement yesterday that BJP would not support Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari or any candidate put up by the Congress for the Presidential election.

Swaraj had also said that the party was open to the idea of backing former President A P J Abdul Kalam if parties like Samajwadi Party mooted his name.

Yadav said the NDA has not discussed any name for the Presidential candidate.

"Whenever such a discussion takes place, the JD(U) will express its views. But, she (Swaraj) has given the opinion of her party," he said.

The JD(U) has not discussed any probable candidates for the Presidential elections yet, Yadav said adding that the party will form an opinion after having internal discussions.