NEW DELHI: Decks have been cleared for a BJP nominee, possibly the first RSS Swayamsewak, to occupy the Raisina Hills. After the Modi wave swept through Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the BJP has gained sufficient numbers to elect its own nominee as the next President, without external support.
The BJP has almost bridged the deficit of 75,000 votes needed to elect its nominee as the next President. While two RSS Pracharaks turned politicians – Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Modi – have so far occupied the posts of PM, the saffron outfit had to watch with expectations to occupy the Raisina Hills.
With Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the BJP had been able to occupy the position of the Vice-President only once. The Vajpayee-led NDA government had to settle for a consensus candidate for the President’s election in A P J Abdul Kalam due to number not favouring the saffron outfit in the electoral college which consists of the MPs (776) and 4,120 MLAs with the total value of 10.98 lakh votes.
The President’s election is due in July. “The PM has not yet applied his mind on the possible candidate. The RSS will also have a strong say when a decision is taken on the nominee," said a senior BJP functionary.