By IANS
New Delhi : The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Monday formally decided to back Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for the presidential elections as a "non-party independent candidate".
However, NDA partner Shiv Sena, a section of which wants to back Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil because she is from Maharashtra, deferred its decision over Shekhawat.
Leaders of NDA met at former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence to take a call on who would be their candidate in the presidential elections on July 19.
Those at the meeting included NDA convenor George Fernandes, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh as well as Sushma Swaraj, Jaswant Singh and L.K. Advani.
Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar, Biju Janata Dal's Braj Kishore Tripathy, Akali Dal's S.S. Dhindsa and Trinamul Congress' Dinesh Trivedi also attended.
Shekhawat was present as well in the meeting presided over by Vajpayee.
Vajpayee read out a brief statement stating: "It is our view that Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is most suited to occupy the high chair of the president of India."
He described Shekhawat as a leader with a "distinguished record of serving the nation from an ordinary citizen to the vice president of India, in a true patriotic fervour.
"He also discharged his duties as the vice president of India acting beyond party affiliations.
"Therefore, the NDA has decided to extend its support to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as a non-party independent candidate. That is how it should be."
According to Sushma Swaraj, Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi had come for the meeting as well but said chief Bal Thackeray would announce his decision only on June 19, the day the party was founded.