The crucial meeting of the National Democratic Alliance, NDA to decide on Presidential candidature is underway at senior BJP leader L K Advani's residence in New Delhi. Besides Mr. Advani, the leaders who are attending the meeting include BJP President Nitin Gadkari, senior party leader Jaswant Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitly, JDU leader and convener of the NDA Sharad Yadav and Shivanand Tiwari.

Shiv Sena in not attending the meeting. Party leader Sanjay Raut told reporters that Shiv Sena was against fielding any candidate against Pranab Mukherjee, UPAs Presidential nominee.

The BJP core committee met yesterday evening to discuss the issue realated to the Presidential candidate.

The Congress has expressed the hope that Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee will accept the candidature of Pranab Mukherjee for the post of President like other UPA partners who gave their nod.

The NCP has asked P A Sangma to withdraw from contesting the Presidential polls. Senior NCP leader and Union Minister Praful Patel said in New Delhi that, the party's line was to unconditionally support Pranab Mukherjee for the top constitutional post. Mr. Patel also said that, Mr Sangma does not enjoy the support of the NCP and he should not defy the party's direction or the line of thinking.