New Delhi: Even though the opposition has yet to select a candidate for the presidential elections, the BJP will convene its parliamentary board meeting today, when it is expected to finalize its choice for the July 18 elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the conference digitally, and the BJP has already constituted a 14-member management committee to monitor the election. With just over a week until the nomination deadline, both parties are looking for candidates that have widespread support.
The BJP has previously stated that it will pick its presidential candidate by the end of this week. The ruling party has around 49 percent of the Electoral College, and crossing the 50 percent threshold is required to elect the President. Party President JP Nadda and Union Minister Rajnath Singh have been tasked with coordinating with NDA and UPA allies, as well as non-NDA and non-UPA allies, to garner support to reach the halfway point. These two leaders have reached out to a wide range of political groups. The BJP has also created a ‘crack team’ of Union Ministers and top functionaries who are doing their own share of coordinating and chatting to various possible candidates.
Everything is kept quiet and ‘top secret’ in classic BJP fashion. The Prime Minister is also expected to attend the parliamentary board meeting. It is unknown if he will attend in person or digitally. Following the meeting, there will be talks with the ‘crack team,’ during which the PM will be briefed on the choices and figures will be discussed. There is also a considerable probability that the parliamentary board will convene again. Meanwhile, heated debates are taking place in the opposing camp.
Mamata Banerjee will not attend the opposition gathering later today, but her nephew and Trinamool politician Abhishek Banerjee is expected to. So far, three people have declined to be the unified opposition’s presidential candidate. So far, the proposals have been rejected by NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, and MK Gandhi’s grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi.
Today, opposition leaders from 12 parties are meeting at Sharad Pawar’s home to strategize for the Presidential election. The meeting is attended by representatives from the Congress, NCP, Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), CPI, RSP, Samajwadi Party, National Conference, AIMIM, RJD, CPI(ML), and AIUDF. Nominations must be submitted by June 29, and elections will occur on July 18.
The BJP chose to ignore a struggle by nominating a candidate who could get support from all parties. Many candidates have been floated, but as was the case in 2017, the BJP may pull a surprise, as is its custom. There is also speculation in political circles that a tribe member may be elevated to the role of President this time. There would be no assurance, though, until both parties made an official announcement.
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