JD(U)’s Sharad sets terms for consensus on new President

Yadav, seen as one of the choices of the Congress-led opposition if it fights the poll next month, said a consensus on the BJP-led NDA candidate can emerge if the name proposed by the ruling alliance believes in the Constitution and is bound by the constitutional propriety “If they (BJP) propose a name who believes in the Constitution, who understands it and believe in its propriety, then there can be a consensus. We will talk,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

Opposition parties have been in talks to put up their own candidate for the election to the top constitutional post and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had recently hosted a lunch in which 17 parties, including the Left, the SP, the BSP, the RJD and the JD (U), had participated. 

BJP president Amit Shah had recently said his party will speak to opposition parties over its choice of presidential candidate after it consults its allies, who are part of the NDA.