The Shiv Sena has refused to open its President-candidate cards amid conflicting claims that Bal Thackeray is "as of now" inclined to back the UPA's Pranab Mukherjee and that the party would "not do anything contrary to the NDA". "Balasaheb received a call from Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday. It was a courtesy call seeking his support in the presidential election. Balasaheb appreciated the call," said a Thackeray aide in Mumbai. Sena sources said Thackeray had told his aides that "as of now" his vote would go to Mukherjee. NDA chairperson and BJP leader L.K. Advani had called Thackeray twice over the weekend but the duo apparently failed to arrive at an agreement.

For more log on to http://alpha.newsx.com