Opposition explores candidate against NDA presidential nominee

The Opposition parties have begun discussions on fielding a common candidate to challenge BJP-led Nationalist Democratic Alliance (NDA) presidential nominee for the forthcoming presidential elections in July.

The Opposition, which came together earlier this week to speak against communal violence incidents across India, has opened talks to field a consensus presidential candidate. The parties are expected to hold a meeting on presidential elections and alleged misuse of central agencies by the Centre in early May.

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has deputed party leaders to engage with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to garner support for the Opposition's candidate. BJD has been lending issue-based support to Modi government. BJD had voted in favour of crucial legislations including Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill in 2019 and triple talaq in Parliament. However, the Opposition feels it could persuade BJD president Naveen Patnaik. A senior Opposition leader told ET, "TRS chief has opened talks. This is just the beginning and we will need to keep talking with each other."

At the same time, the Left parties have also initiated talks on a common presidential nominee. CPI leader D Raja met RJD's Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday to discuss presidential elections. Speaking to ET, Raja said, "Left parties have always been in favour of fielding an Opposition candidate against NDA's nominee. This time will be no different. We have initiated talks and our attempt will be to develop a consensus." In 2017 presidential elections, Opposition parties had come together to support former Lok Sabha Speaker and Congress veteran Meira Kumar against NDA's nominee Ram Nath Kovind. However, Kovind sailed through corering 65.65% of the votes. With the Congress' stature fast diminishing owing to the a spate of electoral losses, the Opposition camp is banking on regional players to take the lead in hammering out a consensus over presidential nominee.

The 2022 presidential elections are crucial for Opposition unity. The Opposition parties are looking for an opportunity to give a tough fight to the BJP. From 2017 presidential elections till now, BJP has lost allies, including Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). It will be a numbers game which will test Opposition unity.