With the candidature of incumbent APJ Abdul Kalam to the president’s election coming to a naught, the NDA on Friday upped its campaign for Vice- President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat even as it maintained that it had not fallen in to the “political trap” laid by the Third Front.

Answering questions from journalists, NDA spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said the BJP-led group has sought support from the Third Front (United National Progressive Alliance) parties for Shekhawat, who is contesting as an independent candidate backed  by NDA.

When pointed out that AIADMK leader J Jayalalitha has already stated that she will maintain equi-distance from both NDA and UPA, she said she would not respond to media reports since the former Tamil Nadu chief minister has informed the NDA leaders that the UNPA leaders would get back to NDA on supporting Mr Shekhawat.

“Since the uncertainty over Kalam’s candidature is over, we requested UNPA to support the candidature of Shekhawat. We will wait for their response”.

However, when asked whether the NDA felt it walked into the political trap laid by the Third Front which was a disjointed front, she said it was not so. “Kalam was our first choice as we approached  him six months ago.

No change

Since he was not willing , we backed Shekhawat. There is no change in our position”, she added. On withdrawal from race by Mr Kalam, she quoted Jayalalitha as having told the NDA leaders that Mr Kalam felt “hurt and wounded” by certain remarks made by three UPA ministers and hence decided not to contest.

It may be recalled that ministers Laloo Yadav, Sharad Pawar and P R Dasmunsi had attacked Mr Kalam for agreeing to contest if there was certainty of his victory.

Murder charges

Asked about charges of murder made by one Rajini Patil against UPA candidate Pratibha Patil’s brother and that Patil had not paid co-operative loan to the tune of lakhs, Ms Swaraj said NDA would not indulge in individual attack on Patil.

“This fight is political and ideological. We will not indulge in character assassination of UPA candidate,” she said.

However, when persisted that the allegations were made at the house of Akali Dal leader and MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa which was arranged by Sudheendra Kulkarni, close to BJP leaders A B Vajpayee and LK Advani, Sushma Swaraj said both had nothing to do with the press meet of Rajini Patil.