NDA busy identifying fence-sitters

NEW DELHI: The NDA on Thursday formally kicked off attempts to win over non-UPA parties to back Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Its managers, who have already identified ‘fence-sitters’ and smaller parties, will be finalising their strategy at a meeting on July 18.

The Congress’ decision to opt for a political lightweight is giving the NDA hopes of effecting an upset in the poll. “It is an unequal fight as the Congress has selected Ms Patil to contest against Shekhawat, who has backers on the either side of the political aisle,” said an NDA leader.

But the composition of the electoral college is clearly loaded against Mr Shekhawat. With the Congress candidate enjoying the support of the alliance, the Left and the BSP, Ms Patil should have a smooth sailing in normal circumstances. Their combined strength accounts for more than 50 per cent of the electorate.

The NDA is banking on cross-voting in the election as members of the electoral college from states may not be equally sensitive to the interests of the central leadership. Past elections have seen caste considerations as well as personal appeal working in favour of the contestants.

As a matter of fact, in the last vice-presidential votes, Mr Shekhawat had managed the support of 57 non-NDA MPs. The NDA also expects the “Third Front” to aid its efforts as many of its components have said that they will not back a Congress candidate. As the Congress is projecting the selection of Ms Pratibha Patil as a choice of the party, they would be willing to look at the other available option.

The NDA is not expecting the Third Front to field its own nominee as it will only make things more easy for the Congress. The Third Front leaders are meeting on June 18 to take stock of the developments. On his part, Mr Shekhawat is trying to make easy for the “secular” parties by de-emphasising his saffron past. He will be entering the poll arena as an independent candidate.

Already, smaller parties like Ajit Singh’s RLD have indicated their willingness to back Mr Shekhawat. The BJP is also attempting to draw Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar into the exercise of winning over parties. Mr L K Advani held a meeting with Mr Kumar here on Thursday night.