Ahead of the United Progressive Alliance meeting in the evening, the Congress and Samajwadi Party talks gained momentum raising the possibility of Mulayam Singh backing the official candidate of the ruling alliance.
Two days ago the SP struck an alliance with Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee in declaring their own candidates, but striking a different posture on Friday, Mr. Singh’s cousin and party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav told journalists that his party was not interested in pulling down the government and imposing mid-term polls on the country. ``We do not want to impose a financial burden on people and the ex-chequer.’’
Sources said Mr. Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Yadav have had a series of discussions with Congress leaders on supporting a United Progressive Alliance candidate. The UPA, it is expected, will announce its official candidate by evening. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance also met in the morning to finalise its strategy.
Earlier, the SP had publicly criticised the Congress for ignoring them on the crucial issue and taking their support for granted.
On Thursday, Mr. Mulayam Singh had distanced himself from Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s assertion that former President A.P.J Abdul Kalam was ``their’’ candidate. As is known by now, Mr. Singh did not join Ms. Banerjee when she made the declaration after a 30-minute meeting with him at his residence.
There was talk of Mr. Mulayam Singh and Ms. Banerjee issuing a joint appeal to all parties to support Dr. Kalam, but Mr. Yadav was evasive about endorsing Dr. Kalam as their preferred candidate. On being asked he said, ``in several states `ours’ is used to indicate `my’.’’
Mr. Mulayam Singh is understood to have told Ms. Banerjee that any decision on a single name had to be endorsed by other SP leaders.
Meanwhile, Mr. Aggarwal and Mr. Ram Gopal Yadav met Mr. Mulayam Singh Friday morning amid indications that the SP chief could leave for Agra on Friday.
Keywords: Presidential elections, UPA, Samajwadi party, Mulayam Singh Yadav
One wonders what is the quid pro quo that the Congress has agreed upon for the SP's support for its Presidential candidate in the election.It is very obvious that Mulayam will extract a very heavy price because of the large number of votes that he commands.
Mr.Kalam is the right choice for the post of President. The Congress does not like him as he questions before signing or taking a decision. The Congress wants a rubber stamp President like the present one. They may eventually take a person who is totally unfit for the post like Pranab Mukherjee - a revengeful and negative minded person who has ruined our economy thoroughly. A person who refused to give free rations to poorly paid officers of the Armed Forces many years ago is unfit to become their Supreme Commander. There is no Bengal Regiment in the Army though the Army Medical Corps is flooded with Bengalis. How can you expect an Italian waitress to know about this country and it's traditions with a PM who does not assert himself ?
We in Bangladesh will respect any one is elected whether Dr.Kalam or Mr.Prananb Mukarjee.As a student of political Science I feel India should not break convention. No President except 1st President Babu Rajendra Prasad got 2nd chance.Dr.Kalam is world famous and let him remain so.He should not be dragged again into politics. Pranab Babu in my humble opinion is the fittest for the high office. He is a moderate & compromising man. A friend of us and all neighbours.
In my view Pranav is fit candidate because he always talks about GDP. But he never indicated what is GDP. Being FM his contribution is highest in increasing GDP. Actually according to him GDP means GOLD, Dollar, and Petrol. These three products has very good increase in their value, therefore he is very much successful FM and fit for any post assignd to him by UPA. Being president he will do much better then what he did as FM.
Dr Abdul Kalam is a worthy candidate. No doubt in it. But, at this point of time country is facing many problems. Common man is dying. Please do something for him. Focused and disciplined efforts are necessary to bring back our economy to shape. A leader with spirit of doing something good for the country with some force is essential.
With due respect to Dr. Abdul Kalam, I would say, he is not the right candidate for the post, in the present circumstances. He is a renowned, most respected person in India, and in the murky political scenerio, he may be forced to compromise his reputation for anything, which is not desired at all.
A black spot on him is a black spot on the country, which we should not allow to happen. Let the post be held by a politician, as he has the art of making the black spot his beauty spot.
India which was once labled by Mr Curzon a country which doesnt have any idea of political democracy and it is not fit to manage its own affairs. Are we not proving him right by doing this tug of war for choosing a presedential candidate. I think it is very crucial time that we give a right leadership and winning command to a renowned , reputed and honest person like Dr Kalam. Can anybody doubt his credentials as a scientist, person and last but not the least his first term in office as president? I requst all the leaders of our country who are representatives of 1121 million indian people to prove that they are above crude selfish politics of loss and gain and choose the best candidate for the post of Presidenof India.
Well said Mr. KV Suryanarayanan. Dr. Kalam is the best. He's the people's president where as Sonia wants a 'Her President' which will be injustice to the people of country.
The unequivocal support of DMK to UPA nominated candidate will come with
a heavy price. Incase the TMC is chucked out of UPA, it is more likely
that DMK will stake claim for Rly.Ministry which will make it difficult
for Congress to wrest one more important economic Ministry. It will be
interesting to see whether Sonia Gandhi will continue to take a tough
stand given the not so clean performance of DMK Ministers.
It is unfortunate that a great man like Dr Kalam is playing into the hands of ruthless politicians. He should honourably decline the offer. If he loses the election, it will be worse for his clean image
@ KV Suryanarayanan; I agree with your view point 100% that "Dr. Kalam will turn out to be an assertive President. he will not sign on the dotted line, but he will exercise his options and take decisions based on principles of natural justice and fair play. He will thus prove himself to be a worthy President" but unfortunately no ruling party according to our current indian political stooped levels of corruption and favortism will allow him to take the lead. 'cause they want only rubber stamps and party addicts so that they might rule in favor of the sponsored party in times of political power-crisis. Its a game as simple as that.
I Will always Vote for Dr Kalam for his Selfless endevaours for making India a Developed Country by 2020 and especially at this Juncture Choosing a President like him is Very much timely as it will decide the Future of India. Also 2014 Assembly Election may come under a regime of a President as both Congress and BJP coming to Power is very Doubtful.
This is not a good sign. Kalam should be the 1st candidate in fray. SP party has to take a good desision, which should lead to country progress and as well as party progress.
The whole world knew in INDIA president is just for sake of ribbon cutting and parade saluting... This post has highest powers without own control on it. In this situation why all this drama is going on??
By doing this all the political parties diverting main burning issues of country INDIA... what about topics likd Inflation, Taxes, Scams, Poverty, Basic needs of tax paying and non paying citizens of INDIA, Rupee depreciation against Dollar, sensitive issues with China / Pakistan..........
Please stop this scripted BOLLYWOOD MOVIE....nothing will be gained from this dramas.........................
I appreciate Mrs. Mamata Banerjee for suggesting the name of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam - among others - for the post of President of India. At this point of time, the fittest person in India to become the President of India is Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. As the President of India, he had proved his mettle by reaching out to lakhs of students all over the country and abroad. He never wasted a single minute during his tenure. Even after ceasing to be the President, he has kept himself busy in taking part in innumerable conferences, seminars, meetings and addressing the youth. He has been instrumental in shaping the affairs of the youth of our country. He has given a new direction and orientation to the people. Of course, Dr. Kalam also made innumerable foreign visits, but every visit was purposeful and India's glory increased manifold by such visits. His teachings and advices have immensely benefited the country. All right thinking political parties should seriously introspect and analyse the good things that Dr. Kalam did for the country. Nation's progress and people's welfare are paramount in Dr. Kalam's mind and he has apt solutions for every problem facing mankind. I am sure that if Dr. Kalam is again made the President of India, the country will see vast changes in various fields. Dr. Kalam will turn out to be an assertive President. he will not sign on the dotted line, but he will exercise his options and take decisions based on principles of natural justice and fair play. He will thus prove himself to be a worthy President.
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