Sharad Yadav declines NDA’s offer to contest
The National Democratic Alliance has named senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh its vice-presidential candidate to take on the UPA nominee, Hamid Ansari.
On the face of it, the contest will be symbolic as the UPA has more than the required number in the Electoral College of 790 MPs to ensure a second term for Mr. Ansari.
The decision came after NDA convener and Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav turned down the offer, telling the NDA leaders that his candidature would hinder his role in “active politics.” It appears that the BJP wanted Mr. Yadav to contest, as the party did not want a repeat of the situation it faced in the presidential election, with the JD(U) and the Shiv Sena deciding to back UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
While the NDA has reasons to be relieved that its constituents are together on the vice-presidential election, it will be a bonus for the alliance if it succeeds in roping in parties such as the AIADMK and others that are not part of the UPA.
Sources in the BJP said senior party leaders are holding consultations with several parties, including UPA ally Trinamool Congress, which is yet to announce its stand on the vice-presidential election.
NDA working president L.K. Advani told journalists after a meeting of the coalition: “Sharad Yadav’s name had come up in the public domain as a possible candidate. Sushma Swaraj had talked to him day before yesterday [Saturday] and requested him to consider [contesting the election]. But he replied that his nature did not permit it, as he was engaged in active politics, and this post would hamper it.
“We have decided not to give them [the Congress-led UPA] a walkover...,” Mr. Advani said.
He said the NDA was opposing Mr. Ansari’s nomination for his “conduct,” abruptly adjourning the Rajya Sabha during the debate on the Lokpal Bill.
Soon after his nomination, Mr. Jaswant Singh, 74, said: “This particular election of President and Vice-President goes beyond numbers.” He said he would reach out to non-NDA parties. “I will talk to all non-NDA parties for support. I will talk to [Trinamool Congress chief] Mamata Banerjee also.”
Keywords: Vice-Presidential election, NDA candidate, Jaswant Singh
In the normal course Dr Ansari who had a successful stint as
Rajya Sabha chairman ,should have been elevated to the post of the
president as his term of five is over.He has done his duty without
fear or favour. It is perhaps due to some actions did not find favour
with UPA dispensation.He did his duty and is now selected for a second
term as vice president. he has locked horn with the ex Army general
Jaswant singh. He was also outspoken man of NDA . On his visit to
Pakistani he returned and said that Jinnah is a patriot. This has
enraged the NDA and he was given sack notice and only recently he was
exonerated and offered vice presidential nomination. While both have
fair credentials, and fit for the vice president,s post, looking at
the support the UPA is likely to get, Dr Ansari seems stand a better
chance to win than Jaswant singh. NDA is not too serious for winning
but its motive is only to give some opposition insteadof an unopposed
win.
It is too late for NDA coalition to come to an agreed formula with the UPA coalition over the elections of President and Vice-President.Agreed settlement could be done by bargain:President for the UPA,and Vice-President for the NDA.However,the NDA's nominee Mr.Jaswant Singh of Rajputana for VP, is better choice among its ranks & files.All is well for Mr. P.Mukherjee of Bengal, as the President to the grand edifice at the Raisina Hills.The D-day is knocking at the door. All regards to the aspirants.
@chokkalingam M: UPA declares its candidate without even asking anybody,
and then asks all to build consensus among all on this choice. Is this
how consultation happens? Is it how BJP did during APJ Kalam time? UPA
has lost its sense of participative democracy.
Friends, BJP has much better leaders compare to other parties. I do not mean that BJP is 100% ok. But compare to other parties it has better record. To my mind voting for regional parties is degerous like to devide our country however the role of Congress is naver good for country or country men. We can not forget that congress has rule almost 60yrs
Jaswant Singh is a man of charactor and principals and the most suitable and deserving candidate to the post of Vice President after Dr S Rdhakrishnan and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.Rather he should have been choosen for the post of President against Pranab da
Very good choice by NDA.
Mr J Singh is urbane, polished, diplomatic and has a clean record in politics and in Government. He led the External affiars and later Finance ministries with admirable dexterity. NDA should have proposed his name for the Presidentship and he might have won. As vice president he will bring back the dignity to the office of the Chairperson of Rajya Sabha which was lost after Dr Saravapalli Radhakrishnan was elected to the Presidentship. I only wish that saner counsel prevails in Lok and Rajya Sabha to elect the person who fits the job like a glove. All the best JS.
Politics especially understand no shame.It appears that it is a ship without a captain
It takes two hands to clap..Consensus can be built only when the opposition considers the ruling party's suggestions truthfully..They make all sorts of allegations before the talks could begin and then say that they were not consulted..
Even when their own allies backed the candidature of Mr.Pranab Mukherjee as the presidential nominee, for the sake of opposing they supported the candidature of Mr.Sangma..
Once there was no unanimity for the presidential candidate, then no question of expecting the same for Vice-presidential nomination...
The BJP is acting silly and playing to the gallery rather than being a constructive opposition party... No values and ethos in decision making..
@ds_meena and Hariharan,
Your comments are totally uncalled for. He is the most perfect person
for the post as compaired to undeserving candidate from upa. In
kandhar episode, congress had also supported govt decision and youth
congress conducted drama with relatives of kidnapped persons infront
of pm .
Jaswant singh neither enterd other party after his expulsion from BJP
which speaks highly of his integrity in present day of aayram gayaram
politicos.
Jaswant Singh was expelled from BJP a few years ago for praising Jinnah. After the expulsion, he compared the BJP to Ku Klux Klan. Now, all these are forgotten and he is NDA's choice for VP post - what a shame !
I was watching the Parliamentary session in the Rajya Sabha on Lok Pal Bill. Sitaram Yechuri was politely asking if the Government plans to continue the debate after mid-night. Even today I remember Hamid Ansari was not able to answer such a simple and straight forward question from Sitaram Yechuri.Hamid Ansari had badly handled this session and he showed himself to be biased in suddenly suspending the debate. On the contrary Jaswant Singh was able Minister in NDA ably handling External Affairs and Finance Portfolios.
Presidential elections this time seems to have become a sacrificial game, Congress found the failed FM , NCP had to sacrifice disobedient PA Sangma,&now Jaswant Singh erring BJP leader will be put to rest once for all.What an coincidence of circumstances...!
By "Vice President" what we basically mean is "Chairman of the Rajya Sabha". Hence, why do we need this post; instead we can have the RS vote for a Chairman from amongst their ranks (like the LS Speaker)?
Kandhar episode-wala . Shame !
In my opinion the selection of candidates to the constitutional offices of President and Vice President, which are apolitical in nature, should be based on a consensus between the ruling and opposition. As an amiable formuala the candidatures can be shared between the the ruling and opposition alliances ;eg. President to the ruling and Vice President to the opposition.
Thanks.
As a person he is highly educated and experienced and he should get a chance to serve India. The question is "will he win?"
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