Presidential polls: With Dr APJ Abdul Kalam out, will Mamata Banerjee abstain? Top 10 developments

BJP sends senior leader Sudheendra Kulkarni to meet Dr Kalam at home. BJP leader LK Advani talks to Dr Kalam thrice. The scientist says his conscience doesn't permit him to run.

His decision comes after Mulayam Singh Yadav, who holds six percent of the vote, says he remains committed to supporting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

BJP now has to decide whether to back PA Sangma, who is taking on Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Sangma is candidate of chief ministers Navin Patnaik and J Jayalalithaa.

BJP's big ally, Nitish Kumar, says the President should be selected by consensus, praises Mr Mukherjee, indicating he is still reluctant to take on the Finance Minister

On Facebook, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee continues to campaign for  Dr Kalam as the "people's choice.

Ms Banerjee to meet with her Rajya Sabha MPs and members of the Bengal Assembly this evening to decide her strategy.

BJP knows numbers will favour Finance Minister, but wants to put up a fight to show voters it is an opposition with teeth.

Mr Mukherjee has meanwhile phoned Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray, to ask for his support. Mr Thackeray is a member of the BJP-led NDA group.

BJP core group to meet tonight to decide next big steps.