NEW DELHI: The Congress today made it clear that a united opposition is committed to win the presidential election by putting up a joint candidate against the NDA nominee and all synergies are being constructively pooled for that endeavour.Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said deliberations in this regard are underway "without any fear, favour or ego". "The widest spectrum of opposition is committed to ensuring the most credible and winning face in the presidential election to give a befitting reply to fight and win the presidential election against the government NDA nominee. "I can tell you with assurance that every possible effort in that direction is underway without fear or favour or restriction or ego and all synergies of the wider opposition are being constructively polled for that endeavour and for that result," he told reporters when asked on the issue.Without disclosing possible names that have cropped up for the presidential election due in July to replace Pranab Mukherjee, he said, "We are fighting to win, let me be very clear. "Singhvi said many meetings have been held already in this regard and more such meetings will take place in the coming days to select a credible candidate who has a countrywide appeal. "Presidential election is more fought by personality rather than by numbers," said a leader, adding that the opposition is trying to get "floaters and stranglers" to vote for its candidate.The leader admitted that the NDA has more numbers as of now but everything will depend on the candidate.NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader and former Speaker Meira Kumar, senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and former West Bengal Governor Gopal Gandhi are among the names being considered by opposition parties as their joint candidate.

Source: Economic Times May 12, 2017 16:18 UTC