New Delhi, July 17
Senior BJP leader Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will be the National Democratic Alliance candidate for the August 12 vice-presidential election.

Announcing Mr Shekhawat’s candidature at a press conference here in the presence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan, NDA convener George Fernandes said there was total unanimity in the NDA over the candidature of Mr Shekhawat.

Mr Fernandes said the AIADMK, the BSP and the TDP would extend support to Mr Shekhawat.

Mr Mahajan said the NDA was confident that Mr Shekhawat would easily win the election even if a contest was forced by the Opposition.

He said although the NDA’s strength in the Rajya Sabha was less than the Opposition, yet because of its majority in the Lok Sabha, the NDA had at least 100 votes more than the Opposition.

Mr Mahajan said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee held consultations with Opposition leaders in an effort to arrive at a consensus on Mr Shekhawat’s candidature. He talked to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, yesterday about the nomination of Mr Shekhawat and sought the support of the Congress, but she conveyed that her party would be putting up its own candidate.

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani conveyed the NDA’s decision to AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa and she agreed to extend support.

The BSP had already announced its support to the NDA candidate on the issue. Besides, several Independents had also extended their support. He expressed the hope that MDMK leader Vaiko would be permitted by the court concerned to cast his vote in the election.

Mr Shekhawat, 79, has been the Chief Minister of Rajasthan thrice and a member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly since 1952. He has a good rapport with most of the parties because of his liberal attitude. Mr Shekhawat will file his nomination at 12.30 pm tomorrow, which happens to be his marriage anniversary.

The electoral college for the vice-presidential election comprises members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Mr Shekhawat, who is all set to become the country’s next Vice-President, said it would have sent a good signal if the persons for the two top constitutional posts — President and Vice-President — were elected unanimously.

“It will send a good signal if the President and the Vice-President are apolitical and elected unanimously”, Mr Shekhawat told newspersons at Rajasthan House.

A steady stream of visitors and well-wishers was there to greet the veteran Rajasthan politician, hours before his name was to be officially announced by the NDA leadership for the Vice-President’s post.