Oppn meet today to discuss vice prez poll nominees

The Opposition will discuss on Tuesday a series of names, from Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi to former Supreme Court judge Justice Gopal Gowda, for a joint vice presidential candidate.

Names of former Chief Justice of India Justice T S Thakur and former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Justice A P Shah are also doing the rounds.

Several Opposition leaders said a discussion would take place at a meeting convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

A source said Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah, a former minister in the Narendra Modi government, has also “personally” reached out to the Opposition over the past week, seeking their support for pushing her candidature. However, her name has not attracted much traction among the Opposition parties.

Eighteen parties, including the JD(U), which broke ranks with the Opposition over the Presidential poll, are expected to attend the meeting.

However, senior leaders like Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will skip the meet.