New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to resort to ‘dinner diplomacy’ with key leaders of NDA constituents especially Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on March 29 to build up a consensus for the ensuing Presidential elections.
Among others, BJP patriarch L K Advani and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s name are doing the round while a section of party leaders feel two incumbent union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Sushma Swaraj too could be considered.
Presidential elections are to be completed by July as Pranab Mukherjee’s stint ends on July 12.
For the post of Vice President, the name of senior BJP MP Hukumdev Narayan Yadav has figured lately in the political circle. Some leaders are also reportedly rooting for Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu.
The Sena leader Sanjay Raut in Mumbai today only added to the confusion by suggesting the name of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and went on to say that “If India has to be made a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, Bhagwat will be a good choice for President”.
There is no final word on whether Sena chief Mr Thackeray will join the high profile dinner at Prime Minister’s official residence.
Meanwhile Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will be hosting a grand lunch on March 28 for all elected MPs from both Houses of Parliament, officials, security personnel and employees of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats.
The lunch will be hosted to mark the beginning of the New Year of the Hindu calendar on the occasion of Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, official sources said.
With the massive victory in Uttar Pradesh, the ruling BJP has enhanced its position in the electoral college for the elections to the post of President and Vice President.