BJP to send Swamy as emissary to Mulayam

New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) Ahead of the presidential elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is sending Subramanian Swamy as an emissary to Samajwadi Paryy (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in an attempt to get him on board, a NDA leader said Friday.

Swamy, who heads the Janata Party, will be going to Uttar Pradesh to meet Yadav to discuss presidential candidates, the NDA leader, who did not want to be named, said.

The step comes after Mulayam Singh Yadav, along with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, announced former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as one of their candidates for the top post.

Sources in the BJP say Kalam's name was discussed in the NDA meeting Friday morning. His name also found favour in the core group meeting of BJP Wednesday evening.

According to SP sources, Kalam is believed to have conveyed that he would contest only if at least 60 percent of the votes are assured in his favour.

The BJP is weighing possibilities to get on its side non-Congress parties.

BJP veteran L.K. Advani met AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa Thursday, and the two decided to "coordinate efforts" on the presidential polls.

The party is also approaching former ally Biju Janata Dal.