New Delhi: The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to formally announce the candidature of former Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for Vice-President's post in a couple of days raising the prospects of a fight.

Shekhawat's name is not in the list of BJP's newly constituted National Executive, an indication that he is a contender for the post, party sources said on July 15.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is expected to complete consultations in this regard with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati soon, highly placed sources said.

They said Vajpayee may also hold talks with leaders of Opposition parties including Sonia Gandhi, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Somnath Chatterjee and Sharad Pawar.

The sources, however, were of the view that a contest appeared inevitable with the Opposition preparing to put up a joint candidate.

This time, government is not hopeful of getting the support of the Congress or Samajwadi Party for its candidate, who will be backed by the NDA, TDP and BSP.

The Vice Presidential election is scheduled for August 12 and the last date of filing nominations is July 26.

PTI