NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Janata Dal on Sunday said it would support the joint United Progressive Alliance-Left party candidate in the Presidential election.
Asserting that the UPA votes would remain intact, Union Minister and senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said: "Not even one vote would shift. We are for an UPA-Left candidate and as the Prime Minister said it would be better if the choice is unanimous."
"No cross-voting"
Briefing correspondents on the deliberations of the party's national executive here, Mr. Singh said there would be no cross-voting that would result in the Opposition gaining.
Asked about reports that some UPA leaders had a good rapport with Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is being projected as a possible contender, he said having personal relations with those on the other side of the political divide did not mean automatic support. "We respect Atal Bihari Vajpayee but are dead against him politically."
Resolutions
Mr. Singh said the meeting adopted several resolutions, including one that hailed the achievements of party president Lalu Prasad as Railway Minster. Political, economic and international resolutions and a resolution on minorities were also adopted.
The party criticised the Nitish Kumar Government, saying it said came to power "by deception." The RJD promised to launch a peoples' struggle against the government's policies, starting with a mass rally in Patna in November.
Several speakers suggested it was time to throw out the Bihar Government.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Lalu Prasad said Bihar was groaning under poor law and order conditions. Loot and murder had become the order of the day, with political opponents targeting RJD leaders, he added.
`End delimitation work'
The party demanded an immediate end to the current delimitation work.
Mr. Singh said the national executive rejected the work, as there were many complaints over the manner in which it was being executed. He said there was a need to give a fresh look into the women's reservation issue.
On the organisational front, the RJD decided to strive to get national party status. "We have a national presence but do not have the numbers that would accord us the recognition."
The party's membership enrolment campaign that began on June 5 would culminate in election of the national president on August.
Asserting that the UPA votes would remain intact, Union Minister and senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said: "Not even one vote would shift. We are for an UPA-Left candidate and as the Prime Minister said it would be better if the choice is unanimous."
"No cross-voting"
Briefing correspondents on the deliberations of the party's national executive here, Mr. Singh said there would be no cross-voting that would result in the Opposition gaining.
Asked about reports that some UPA leaders had a good rapport with Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is being projected as a possible contender, he said having personal relations with those on the other side of the political divide did not mean automatic support. "We respect Atal Bihari Vajpayee but are dead against him politically."
Resolutions
Mr. Singh said the meeting adopted several resolutions, including one that hailed the achievements of party president Lalu Prasad as Railway Minster. Political, economic and international resolutions and a resolution on minorities were also adopted.
The party criticised the Nitish Kumar Government, saying it said came to power "by deception." The RJD promised to launch a peoples' struggle against the government's policies, starting with a mass rally in Patna in November.
Several speakers suggested it was time to throw out the Bihar Government.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Lalu Prasad said Bihar was groaning under poor law and order conditions. Loot and murder had become the order of the day, with political opponents targeting RJD leaders, he added.
`End delimitation work'
The party demanded an immediate end to the current delimitation work.
Mr. Singh said the national executive rejected the work, as there were many complaints over the manner in which it was being executed. He said there was a need to give a fresh look into the women's reservation issue.
On the organisational front, the RJD decided to strive to get national party status. "We have a national presence but do not have the numbers that would accord us the recognition."
The party's membership enrolment campaign that began on June 5 would culminate in election of the national president on August.
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