New Delhi: Noting that Shekhawat combines a lifetime's experience of dedicated public service with rare qualities of head and heart, Vajpayee said, "the NDA is unanimously of the view that Shekhawat as a non-party and an independent candidate would be the most appropriate choice."

A meeting attended by all leaders of all the NDA constituents claimed that Shekhawat s victory in the July 19 poll is "definite".
If Shekhawat enters the fray as an independent, it will be the first time after the 1969 polls that a Vice President would be contesting in such a way. V V Giri was the candidate at that time.

The NDA strategy to back Shekhawat as an independent candidate was aimed at garnering greater support outside the alliance, including from the UPA.

Talking to reporters later, NDA convenor George Fernandes expressed confidence that Shekhawat will be able to emerge victorious, saying arithmetic is not always static. "We know where we are. The numbers will come," he said. His remarks were in response to a question on how the NDA could claim a majority for Shekhawat when the numbers were not in his favour.

Soon after the NDA decision, Swaraj met Shekhawat so also JD(U) leader Digvijay Singh, a close associate of the Vice President and Shatrughan Sinha.