Non-Cong member may be oppn nominee for Prez poll

Jagan, KCR & Naveen Will Decide How Serious Fight Will Be

New Delhi: Hours after the Election Commission sounded the bugle for the presidential election, the opposition set the ball rolling on exploring partners and finding a candidate to challenge the ruling NDA. Congress president Sonia Gandhi took the lead by calling CPM chief Sitaram Yechury, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee to discuss the subject.

With Sonia unwell with Covid, she deputed leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to hold consultations with like-minded parties. Kharge met Pawar in Mumbai, and said that he will now speak to DMK and TMC leaders to finalise a date for a joint meeting to brainstorm on the choice of different parties to narrow down on a final name. The anti-BJP camp is particularly looking to know the mind of three key regional players YSRCP, BJD and TRS.