PM calls Swaraj, seeks support for Pranab's candidature

Soon after United Progressive Alliance announced Pranab Mukherjee as its candidate for the Presidential election, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj to seek BJP's support for him.

Sources close to Swaraj said Singh informed her that UPA has decided to field Mukherjee as its candidate for thePresident's post and sought the Bharatiya Janata Party and NDA support for him.

"Swaraj said she will definitely convey Singh's message to NDA in its next meeting. She also told him that she will convey to him whatever decision is taken by NDA," a party leader said.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi announced Mukherjee's candidature on Friday at a meeting of the ruling coalition. All UPA allies, except TMC, extended their support to 77-year-old Mukherjee.

BJP-led NDA has not yet taken a call on the issue.

However, there are indications that NDA would like to put up a candidate for the Presidential election as it does not want to be seen siding with UPA in view of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for 2014.

The government has not made any offer of a deal with the Opposition for a quid pro quo on vice presidential poll.

The NDA has said it will announce its candidate after UPA declares its choice.