New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar at his Delhi residence on Tuesday and discussed the upcoming Presidential election. The talks between the two leaders, which lasted for about 20 minutes, come ahead of a meeting of non-BJP parties called by Mamata Banerjee to formulate a joint strategy for the Presidential poll.
Left Front leaders, led by CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, also held a separate meeting with the NCP supremo to convince the veteran leader to be the joint opposition nominee for the Presidential election, PTI reported.
Pawar, however, refused the offer and conveyed his decision to Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja, and NCP leaders Praful Patel and PC Chacko.
READ | Presidential Polls: Sharad Pawar Refused To Be Opposition Nominee, Says Sitaram Yechury
"I have been informed that Pawar will not be the opposition face for the presidential poll, other names are under consideration," said Yechury.
Mamata Banerjee has convened a meeting of Opposition leaders on June 15 at the Constitution Club in the national capital for discussions on a consensus candidate for the election.
Congress and CPI(M) and CPI have conveyed their participation in the meeting, PTI reported. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewala may attend the meeting on behalf of the party.
While the top leadership of the Left Front would not be attending the meeting, the CPI(M) will be represented by the leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, Elamaram Kareem.
The election of the President of India will be held on July 18. The ruling NDA has half the votes of the electorate and its candidate can make it through easily with the support of some fence-sitter parties like the BJD, AIADMK and YSR-CP.
(With inputs from agencies)