JD-U for 'graceful send off' for Pranab

Signs of wider support to Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential race were visible on Saturday, with Janata Dal-United leader Shivanand Tiwari making a strong pitch for a "graceful send off to the respected leader."

Tiwari said it was his personal opinion that "a senior and respected leader like Pranab Mukherjee, who is going into retire (from active politics) should be given a graceful send off".

He said it was clear that Mukherjee will win the Presidential race with Mulayam and Mayawati backing his candidature as the United Progressive Alliance candidate.

He, however, said that a decision needed to be taken at the meeting of the NDA where "we will put forward our view points".

The JD-U is the second largest partner in the National Democratic Alliance and the party and the Bharatiya Janata Party are sharing power in Bihar.

Finance Minister Mukherjee was yesterday chosen by the ruling UPA as its candidate for the President's post, ending months of speculation.

On Friday, the JD-U had virtually put its foot down on the issue of NDA taking any stand on Abdul Kalam, projected as Presidential candidate by the Trinamool Congress, following which the opposition alliance deferred its decision.