The BJP on Wednesday approached opposition leaders to discuss the names of candidates for the presidential election. It is being told that Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. He also spoke to NCP chief Sharad Pawar and BSP chief Mayawati.

According to sources, Rajnath Singh also contacted NDA ally JDU. He also called up Naveen Patnaik. During this there was a discussion about making a consensus on the candidate for the presidential election.

Earlier on Sunday, the BJP had entrusted Rajnath Singh and party president JP Nadda with the responsibility of holding discussions with various political parties, including the opposition, for the presidential election. In view of this, Rajnath Singh also spoke to the leaders of some other parties including Kharge, Banerjee and Yadav over the phone.

Rajnath Singh has spoken to the leaders of the opposition at a time when Mamta Banerjee had called an important meeting in Delhi to agree on the name of the joint candidate from the opposition. Sources said the opposition leaders wanted to know from Rajnath Singh the name of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) presidential candidate.

Earlier in the meeting of opposition parties convened by Mamata Banerjee, leaders of several parties on Wednesday requested Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar to become the Presidential candidate from the United Opposition, but he once again This offer was turned down.

According to sources, the names of senior leader Farooq Abdullah and former West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi also cropped up as possible opposition candidates after Pawar turned down the offer. Actually, the term of President Ram Nath Kovind is ending on July 24. The presidential election will be held on 18 July. Counting of votes will take place on July 21.

spoke to the leaders of National Congress, National People's Party, Naga People's Front, AJSU and independents. At the same time, due to the absence of major regional parties like Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the opposition meeting held in the capital Delhi to agree on the name of the presidential candidate, BJP Heaved a sigh of relief.

At the same time, a gazette notification was issued for the 16th presidential election on Wednesday. According to sources, 11 candidates filed their nominations for the Presidential election today following the gazette notification by the Election Commission. Out of 11 nominations filed, one nomination was rejected due to incomplete documents.