India’s next President is likely to be a dyed-in-the-wool BJP leader, contrary to speculation that the ruling party might field a technocrat or some apolitical candidate. As consultation starts within the BJP and with the Opposition for the July 17 election, the ruling side wants a President who has “strong BJP affiliation”. On Friday, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu drove to the residence of BJP patriarch LK Advani and also called on Murli Manohar Joshi. The BJP is likely to announce the name of its candidate on June 22 and the nomination is expected the next day. “It will be a success for us, even if we manage to wean away one or two major parties from the Opposition camp,” a Union minister told HT.

Source: Hindustan Times June 17, 2017 01:41 UTC