New Delhi: Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said that his party’s support for Pranab Mukherjee as President did not mean support for the Congress. “It’s sad that NDA couldn’t find a presidential candidate in such a vast country. The NDA is indecisive, it need to get on the right path. For 2014 polls, we need to begin preparing now,” he said.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said on Tuesday that they were looking for a candidate from the “Third Front”, but since there isn’t one, they will hold discussions with other political parties and then come out with its decision.

“The UPA is supporting Pranab Mukerjee while the NDA is inclined to support Sangma. We are discussing with other political parties and will come out with a decision soon on this, in a day or two. Had there been a candidate from the Third Front, we would have immediately supported him but unfortunately there isn’t one.”

Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in the editorial said, “Nobody should accuse Shiv Sena of ‘vishwasghaat’. The decision was purely based on national interest.” “The dignity of the nation should not be compromised for narrow political gains. If you don’t have a sword don’t enter the battlefield. We should all come together and back Pranab Mukherjee and show the world we are united,” he added.

Shiv Sena had also skipped the NDA meeting on Sunday to discuss the President poll. At the two-hour meeting, JDU leader Shivanand Tiwari is believed to have disfavoured a contest against Pranab because of his stature, reflecting a divide in the coalition.

BJP MP Maneka Gandhi also openly came out in Pranab’s support, calling him an ‘excellent candidate’ for the President’s post.
The BJP is in a fix as it does not want to let the polls go uncontested. It does not want to support Pranab and is trying to build consensus on Sangma.

Senior Leader LK Advani is also trying to get BJD chief Naveen Patnaik and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa on board to nominate Sangma as their joint candidate. An NDA meet is to be held only after deliberations with the BJD and the AIADMK.