Cat Fight among National Parties for Presidential Post

"The post of president is very prestigious. Politicians have made a joke of it... Everyone is roaming around with a name in his pocket," the RJD chief told reporters on the sidelines of a tour he is undertaking in Bihar from Motihari to Gaya.

"All parties should arrive on a conclusion for the presidential poll. Whatever Sonia ji wants should happen," he said.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran L.K. Advani has now said his party will "coordinate efforts" with the AIADMK over the July 19 presidential polls. After meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa's, Advani said they had "discussed at length" the possibilities on who would be the next president.

"All the issues have been discussed and we agreed that we will continue to be in touch and coordinate our efforts," Advani said. "We will coordinate and see that the decision for the country is taken properly," he added.

Jayalalithaa said "we have discussed about the presidential election," but had nothing "specific to add". Both leaders blamed the Congress for the clumsy handling of the polls."That is true, the events of yesterday showed the entire exercise have been botched very badly by the Congress," added Jayalalitha.

(With IANS inputs)