In a rebuff to Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, Congress on Thursday rejected the three names proposed by them, sending signals that it was not in a mood to bow before them.
“We cannot afford to spare Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister. The other two names (A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Somnath Chatterjee) are not acceptable,” Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.
“During UPA-II (election of leader), we have already said he (Dr. Singh) will remain the Prime Minister till 2014. Congress does not take such a step (of changing its leader) in between,” he said.
His forthright assertion came after Congress president Sonia Gandhi held parleys with senior party leaders Pranab Mukherjee, A.K. Antony and P. Chidambaram at her residence in the wake of TMC and SP stunning the party by proposing three names as a counter to candidature of Mr. Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari.
Congress talks tough
Virtually disapproving of Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee’s action of disclosing the names of Mr. Mukherjee and Mr. Ansari as first and second choices of Congress, Mr. Dwivedi said the process of consultation was still on and Ms. Gandhi had not finalised any name.
Ms. Gandhi is in the process of consulting even single-member parties and in the course of it two names have come up. “If Congress had decided on the name, two names would not have come up,” he said.
“There is a dignity to the process. When such talks are held, names are not discussed outside,” the Congress leader said, apparently referring to Ms. Banerjee disclosing the names to the media immediately after meeting Ms. Gandhi at her residence on Wednesday.
DMK to support Congress nominee
DMK Parliamentary leader T.R. Baalu met her and said Ms. Gandhi will be announcing the name of the UPA Presidential candidate anytime later this week.
“Keeping in view political stature and seniority in public life, my leader Karunanidhi was consulted by Madam last month through Antony. My leader had suggested a name. The name has been communicated by Antony to Madam. Madam at any point of time, will be announcing the decision,” Mr. Baalu told reporters.
He said the name of the person cannot be divulged as of now and parried questions on whether the candidate is among the five persons whose names have been made public.
“Madam will announce it shortly. Not today... At any point within this week,” he said.
When asked if DMK was fine with Mr. Mukherjee’s candidature, he said, “It is between the two higher ups. My leader has communicated the matter long back. We stand by it.”
Besides DMK, Ms. Gandhi also held discussions with Nationalist Congress Party.
Keywords: Presidential elections, UPA, Presidential nominees
In a democracy, consultation, consensus, transparency are to be followed. Sometimes, confrontation in the name of democracy is not a vice. DMK has no choice but to go along with Congress even though its leader hinted sometime ago that he would go along with Dr. Kalam's candidacy just to please DK leader who supported Dr. Kalam.
Sir.
Congress since 1980s appoints puppets on important jobs so that they can be used with impunity for the gains of party and bosses, therefore it can’t spare them for symbolic posts. And It does not accept people with honesty and integrity even for the symbolic positions which sometime can possibly upset the congress cart.
If Congress and its supporting Parties really wants to weed out corruption and make India as Super Power The President of India must be a Honest and dignified Person. The best choice is Hon'ble A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.We Pray The Congress President&The UPA Chair person Mrs.Sonia Gandhi to co-operate to elect Kalam Unanimously.Most of the Indian People Wants Kalam to be elected for second tenure.
One more blow to Congress, for that it's responsible itself. First kept
the names secret, now witnessing complete mess up. why not all political
parties make a consensus and select a honorable and reputed candidate
who does not carry the same image- rubber-stamp President.
Of course Kalam would be unacceptable to Congress.
He was a honest, hard-working, intelligent, independent star in his own right.
He overshadowed the congress family, which is a no-no.
The scare of an independent Zail Singh was enough for Congress.
Presidents are ex-politicians or hard to get-rid-off politicians who need to be kicked upstairs to make room for pliable people.
When Congress says it will consult with its allies and decide jointly, it means Congress will dictate who the president will be and the allies will have to bow down and accept.Sadly, the TMC is not that kind of party.
Why can't they nominate one from the "Family" as President?
Hamid Ansari is most qualified to be President of India but the corrupt political parties i.e. SP & TMC are adamant at not having an educated person as President. Ansari has been a career diplomat & an educationist. Plus he is politically neutral so cruical to post of President.
It is high time India go for the election of the President by public polls and not by the whims and fancies of the Ruling Party especially with the new trend of the President too misusing their privileges. Similarly for the key posts (Prime Minister/Defense Minister/Home Mister) as well the public should have the choice to vote. Otherwise public should be informed about the party's candidates for these positions upon which public can vote.
After witnessing IPL season 5 , people of India are now experiencing special edition of IPL (Indian President League). Major battle will be between Delhi daredevils (Congress) and Kolkota knight riders (TMC). If we compare both sides Delhi looks good on statistics but Kolkota is known for bitter fight. Last season winner Chennai super kings weakness will give some relief to daredevils. As cricket is game of uncertainty same is true with this special edition of IPL (Indian President League) also controversies are part and parcel of IPL. Lets enjoy this game !!!
Whomsoever finally emerges candidate of the congress-led alliance at the
centre, damage has already been to the credibility of the leadership of
the congress.Mamata Banerjee,in the presence of Mulayam Singh Yavav, has
broken all protocol in disclosing the name of the candidates that came
up for discussion with sonia.Still there are reports that the congress
leadership is open to rapprochement with Mulayam Singh Yadav.The
congress leadership is seen in poor light.
Please Email the Editor