NDA declines comment on Pranab's candidature for presidency

New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convenor Sharad Yadav Friday declined to comment on the candidature of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as ruling UPA nominee for the next president.

Speaking to media persons after a scheduled NDA meeting was adjourned till Saturday, Sharad Yadav said the meeting was postponed so that the issue could be discussed further and a decision could be taken.

"We have postponed the meeting to take decision," he said when asked for his response on Mukherjee's candidature.

On the probable candidates that were discussed at the NDA meeting, he said: "No names were discussed."

When pointed out that a Congress spokesperson had appealed to all political parties to support Mukherjee, Sharad Yadav said: "He is a spokesman of the largest political party of the ruling alliance and it was his job."

He said personal equations and political dynamics were two different things and could not be viewed together or counterposed.

When told that Mukherjee had friends in all political parties, the Janata Dal (United) chief quipped, "so do I". "Even I have friends in all political parties."