Prez polls: NDA in talks with regional parties

MADURAI: The National Democratic Alliance is now in the process of consulting regional parties to choose a Presidential candidate who will be accepted by all, BJP National Secretary P Muralidhar Rao said here today.

"There are limitations. BJP cannot have a say on its own. We have to consult partners and regional parties. Now that process is going on. We will try to evolve a common candidate..." he told reporters here.

He said the NDA was committed to choosing a candidate who has genuine interest in the nation and probity in public life and who can fight against corruption.

When asked to name a common candidate, Rao said, "By naming the candidate in advance you will be killing the chance of that candidate to become the President."

On talks within the BJP circles about former President A P J Abdul Kalam's candidature for presidentship, he said, "So far BJP has not come out with any name."