No rift in NDA, decision deferred to arrive at rational conclusion: Sharad Yadav

New Delhi/Chandigarh - Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Sharad Yadav on Monday rubbished reports that there is a difference within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the presidential candidate, saying the decision has been deferred so that all leaders arrive at a rational conclusion.

"Who is saying that there are differences? The decision has been deferred so that a rational decision is taken. We will sit once again after due consultations with all," he said.

Yadav, who is also the NDA convener, said the consultation process to zero in on a presidential candidate is still on, and added that the schedule of the next meeting would be announced soon.

"The meeting was held. What I conveyed yesterday it is the same thing today also. We will discuss it with all. The matter has been deferred to create a path forward. So, what was said yesterday, it is the same today. The schedule of the next meeting will also be conveyed to you," he said.

The NDA during its nearly two-hour long meeting yesterday failed to firm up a position on the presidential election, as it was divided over opposing UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee and there was lack of clarity on extending support to former Lok Sabha speaker and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader P.A. Sangma.

"We will consult and deliberate with the chief minister of NDA-ruled states and leaders of other parties and would take final decision in next meeting," Yadav told media here on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was with the NDA as far as the presidential candidate was concerned.

"Whatever decisions the NDA will take, the Shiromani Akali Dal will abide by that," Badal told media in Chandigarh, when asked to comment on the presidential candidate.

The presidential elections will be held on July 19. The vote count will take place on July 22.

Pratibha Devisingh Patil's term as President ends on July 24.