Opposition leaders to meet soon to decide on VP poll

Putting behind the setback over Presidential elections, opposition parties were now working overtime to decide on a candidate for the election to the vice president's post.

Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmed Patel were busy getting various opposition leaders on board to achieve the elusive unity that fell apart after the Nitish Kumar's JD(U) decided to support Ram Nath Kovind, the BJP's candidate for the presidential election.

Opposition sources brushed aside the differences over the presidential elections as a “one-off issue” and appeared ready to put up a united front in the election to the vice president's post scheduled for August 5.

Vice President Hamid Ansari's term ends on August 10.

After facing flak for forcing its candidate – Meira Kumar as the joint opposition nominee for the presidential election, the Congress appeared ready to have other parties a greater say in the vice presidential election.

“We are in no mood to give the BJP a walkover. A meeting of opposition leaders could take place later this week,” an opposition leader said.

Members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, form the electoral college for the Vice President's election.

In an electoral college of 790 members, the ruling NDA has a comfortable majority to have its candidate elected as vice president. In addition, the BJP can bank on support from AIADMK, BJD, TRS, YSRCP who have declared their support to the ruling party for the presidential election.

The Election Commission issued the notification for the vice presidential election on Tuesday.