NEW DELHI: In the wake of allegations of cracks forming in the opposition ranks, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress on the issue of Presidential poll.  Rajnath called Kharge on Tuesday, the source said. Congress, on the other hand, said that the negotiations were merely a formality and that no progress had been made.

Kharge said, "Rajnath Singh called me to discuss the upcoming presidential elections. When asked about the plan, however, no response was received. Will the government accept a name that isn't controversial if the opposition comes up with one? It's only a courtesy." Mamata Banerjee has scheduled a conference of the opposition parties, but there are already fissures, as the AAP and TRS are expected to skip it.

The AAP will make a decision on the subject after the candidate's name is released, while the TRS has decided to avoid the meeting due to the presence of Congress.

The Congress will attend a meeting called by Trinamool Congress Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who invited 22 opposition leaders and chief ministers to the meeting last week to establish a common strategy for the June 15 presidential election. The gathering will be attended by opposition leaders.

Banerjee arrived in Delhi on Tuesday and met with Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party. According to a source, Pawar has declined to be the opposition's presidential candidate, stating that he wants to remain involved in politics.

Presidential election: KCR to stay off Mamata meet

Mamata's big Opposition meet in Delhi today

Sharad Pawar gave this big statement on the news of becoming President's candidate