The crucial meeting of NDA has begun in New Delhi at senior BJP leader L K Advani's residence to take a call on the Presidential candidate.

BJP leaders including party president Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Jaswant Singh, JD U leader Sharad Yadav, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Rout, SAD leader Naresh Gujaral and Janata Party leader Subramanium Swami are participating in the meet.

UPA partners are also meeting this evening to discuss its candidate for Presidentship.

Earlier Yesterday Congress President Sonia Gandhi held consultations with leaders of her party and UPA allies on the Presidential candidate The Congress has ruled out Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's name as a Candidate for the presidentship.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee strongly pitched for A P J Abdul Kalam’s candidature for the post of President. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi before leaving for Kolkata today, she said, Dr. Kalam will be the best candidate and his name was proposed by SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav