Nationalist Congress Party president and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's comments on Monday for an “agreed” Presidential candidate has set the ball rolling for evolving a consensus, with the Congress agreeing that the selection should be done through “consultation and consensus.”
The term of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil ends on July 24.
So far neither the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance nor the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has initiated any formal discussion for a consensus candidate. With the Vice-President's post also falling vacant by August, the move will involve give-and-take between the two major political alliances.
Speaking to journalists here, Mr. Pawar said that with the kind of numbers the UPA or the NDA had [in Parliament], there should be an “agreed” candidate and for this the concerned leadership should start a high-level dialogue process. Clearly, he meant that the allies and smaller parties should be kept in the loop for selection of a candidate.
He said he favoured an “agreed” candidate, not a “non-political” one as had been reported in the media.
Congress Minister Kapil Sibal agreed it was a “big issue” and added that “everyone has the right to opinion but we feel it shouldn't be discussed because we do not want to make it controversial.”
The Samajwadi Party is credited with taking an initiative in the matter, with its new Rajya Sabha member Kiranmoy Nanda raising the issue with Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee when he made a ‘courtesy call' on her in Kolkata last week.
Mr. Nanda, who was a Minister in the previous Left Front government in West Bengal before he merged his West Bengal Socialist Party with the Samajwadi Party, reportedly discussed the alignment for the Presidential elections. The last day for filing the nomination is May 24.
Sources in the Samajwadi Party said if there was consensus on the name of the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, then the party might go with it. But if there was no agreement on his candidature, then efforts would be made to look for a candidate acceptable to parties. Mr. Kalam, it is clear, will not contest if there is no agreement on his name.
After its huge victory in Uttar Pradesh recently, the Samajwadi Party gets a sizeable number of votes in the Electoral College that elects the President and, together with other UPA allies, it can make a substantial difference in deciding who will be the next President.
Other parties that will make a difference include the Bahujan Samaj Party, the AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal. The Samajwadi Party and the BSP presently lend outside support to the UPA government.
For a while, the name of the former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP member, P.A. Sangma, was doing the rounds as a potential candidate, which was refuted by Mr. Pawar. He said: “With our 16 MPs that would be unrealistic, and we do realistic politics.”
Keywords: President polls, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Samajwadi Party, political crisis, UPA Government, NDA
President is the first citizen of India and he is the ceremonial head of the state. People like TN Seshan should be given a chance who will defintely show to this country finer nice dimensions to the post what was written in the constitution and perceived by people with good logic which every common man can understand but politicians are scraed of him therefor they may not interested to accept him.
Whoever it is, UPA would make sure the next incumbent will be someone
who does not support the JanLokpal Bill. The consensus to be reached by
all the 'political parties' is based on this premise. I think No-Lokpal
is the only aspect all the politicians have taken the same side, the
side against the Republic of India.
I hate to see people supporting Narayana Murthy and Ratan tata to these positions.. how could one possibly imagine some business people because they were success.. businessmen success is all about timings.. i would prefer to have Anna Hazare in the position.. this is the position where parliament reports and one should take into the factor that corruption is invading our parliament.. so Anna Hazare is the right candidate to these positions..
Fact of the matter is that none should be made to feel as 'indispensable or the alike'! Religion & politics,however,must not be given any consideration, either way while processing the Presidential candidature: India being a democratic & secular state ! Only under very compelling & unavoidable circumstances, a second term for the top posts may be inevitable. Dr Rajindra Prasad,the first president, was the only one to occupy the coveted chair for two terms ,consecutively. Dr S Radhakrishnan, the V President too remained twice as such before getting elevated to be the next President.Dr Ansari,V Prez deserves to be considered to be the next president: if some other considerations do not block his candidature ! Even otherwise, India will have to go in for the election for both of the Top Positions. Being a politician or non-politician does not carry much weight while considering such appointments : Till date, except Dr APJ Kalam,the rest happened to be politicians only! Remember that India's President is also C-in-C of the Army,Navy & Air Force ! Therefore, under the peculiar & the global situation, India must elect 'A real independent,powerful,nationally acceptable & a 'HE' President only! VP could be a 'SHE' alright !
Subramaniyan Swamy - Perfect Candidate for the post of President of India. But who will take a risk?
Good Remark By Mr.Pawar.President election should be in
democratic way. Because we live in democracy.
My vote goes to Mr Narayana Murthy. He is the face of Modern India, inspiring to our youngsters and yet admired by others as well. He would be a good representative of India abroad.
Pranab Mukherjee will emerge as the consensus candidate for Presidential election and also a fitting farewell to his political career.
Dr. Kalam should have been given a second term, the last time around itself. It was the utter intransigence of the Congress leadership (read Sonia Gandhi) that scuttled his candidacy. What we got was someone who did nothing to bring repute to the position. She was only embroiled in one controversy or asnother - with one more looming nearer the time of her demitting office.
In the Indian conctitution president has no power until he dissolves the parliament, suspends the cabinet and impose the emergency. I doubt very much that any of the above mentioned candidate has the guts to do that. We really need a president who can act decisively to bring down the corruption, bring back morality in the government function. But unfortunately as the president in our country is elected by bad people (Elected members) that can't happen. So instead of conducting president election and wasting taxpayers money we can create a peramnent robot which will stamp all the legislation passed by the parliament.
I think Shri T.N Seshan would make a good choice for the President of
India!!
Delhi metro man Sreedharan Sir is also a good choice along with Dr.Kalam.
President could be a non political individual.But Indians need to abide by our written constitution and President is the head of the constitution.He/She heads the combined forces but the current President did not have any voice in the problems (Non mililitary) in that area.We feel that we need a President who is a good one in literature and cultural thoughts of this vast country.He/she should be a good writer and a speaker in all common subjects like history,civics and philosophy.
Sir,
Let us forbid our debates to doodle around our options running around the Political or non political candidate. We have seen the difference between the two between 2002 and 2012. Let us opt for a candidate capable to add grace to the post rather than being an indentured stooge. For bet, APJ’s election will cost Sonia Gandhi’s another half chance to be the prime minister. NDA-UPA bargain for prez and vice prez will be a mockery of our constitution. The learned India seeks a non political literary icon to mount the top slot. Prakash Singh Badal won’t be able to skedaddle his regional preferences. A person of MS Swaminathan cache can be other amicable choice. As a commoner, I will be happy if Infosys boy, Narayanth Krishnamurthy turns out to be a choice of Electoral College.
Why not abolish this ceremonial post or do we like the British have a
hangover for their kings and queens. Other than helping spend a lot of
tax payers' money what has a President's post really achieved for the
country?
We need someone who has the guts to hit the "NO MERCY" Button.
Ratan Tata (85), Hon. Dr. Kalam (81) are a bit too old. SM Krishna (89) is both old & apparently not so 'clean'. Narayana Murthy (75) is a very good choice. If age is no limiting factor, what about N. Vittal (84)?
Mr. Kalam is the right person. He should accept this responsibility. MHe is the Person who has decorated various feather in Republic Throne. His T20 vision has to be achieved. He is the Misileman of India. A person of High Dignity,Mr. Kalam has always served the nation. He is the role model for the youth. He has Already served that post And has done developmental politics rather than political poltics.
We need someone who is non political, unbiased & independent like Mr. Kalam to be the President. I'm not saying Kalam is the only choice. Narayana Murthy, Ratan Tata are all good choices.
Whoever it is please don't elect somebody who would spend 230 plus crores on family tours accross the world! Everyone knows that the Precsident of India have not much of a role in the governance but still for whatever is at stake please select someone who would do justice to the role
Dr. Kalam would be a perfect choice for this post as he is honest and deserving.
To the date the only President who have influenced the people of india to the highest level is Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam.With due respect i believe Her Excellency Mrs Pratiba Devi Singh Patil could not fill the shoes of Mr.Kalam.The vibrant,inspiring Kalam should be called back to hold the esteemed office.
Thank God that those who have sugested various names in the comments above for election as the President of India are not eligible voters in the election of the President!
i think either APJ or Sasi Tharoor is the right choice. I regret that we have a knowledgeless president currently! Who in the world chose her to the president post? I strongly recommend Sasi Tharoor since he got all the bells and whistles to become the president of India. He got the experience, exposure, "connections", literature, knowledge on economy, strategic knowledge etc. We should definitely vote him up and make him the next President. OR another choice is Manu George. He is a great person too from Kerala.
''President could be a non political individual.But Indians need to abide by our written constitution and President is the head of the constitution.He/She heads the combined forces but the current President did not have any voice in the problems (Non mililitary) in that area.We feel that we need a President who is a good one in literature and cultural thoughts of this vast country.He/she should be a good writer and a speaker in all common subjects like history,civics and philosophy.
Former President Kalam already adorned the office of the Preident of India and a receipient of Bharat Ratna. He is a icon for inspiration for young and old.He should decline the second term offer in the interest of others who should take their turn to serve India.Having enjoyed the highest position and enjoy highest esteem of the people, no second term for him.He should decline this offer politely. About his minus points:He failed to dispose of the mercy petitons of the three convicts of Rajiv either rejected or pardoned.So he was indeceissive in such vital issues. Another occassion he had a chance to interact with the President of Srilanka recently, he failed to impress him for the early settlement of the Tamils issue there, and he failed to stress the stand of India govt. to him to resolve the issue. Former Preisent Kalam has been an acdemic and technocrat and a new to field of diplomacy and political intriques. Person like Gopal Krishna Gandhi,is a right for the present situation
How about Anna Hazare ?
@PKRAO, I do not know about the others you mentioned. But would like to say few words about SMKrishna and his impeccable honesty. In Bangalore most of the IT parks belongs to his son-in-law. They trespassed, even removed lakes and constructed IT parks. Crores of money being transferred in a legal form as a rent. How we should not doubt that.
I am sure Dr.R.K. Rao must be joking when he refers to SM Krishna as "a politician of impeccable honesty" ! Dr.Kalam should reject the post, if offered, I hope. He was denied a second term by the UPA under duress from the communists and the Italian, the last time around. Although highly qualified, he is 81+ years old, and deserves a peaceful retirement, not appeasing and assuaging corrupt politicians!
Mr Ratan Tata should be considered for the post of President of India. The parsis have contributed in no small measure to th independence struggle and industrialization of India. Mr Tata enjoys a clean image.
Mr Narayana Murthy gets my vote. But he is better of outside the tent than inside it. The post will gag his true nature.
The best choice would be Dr M.S. Swaminathan. With his expertise in Agricultural and Food industry and with a bestowed political knowledge, he could be the ideal choice. One of the greatest challenges of the country with the growing population is sustainance of food & agriculture which is predicted to fall to new low levels after 2020. Mr. Narayanamurthy is not a bad choice but remember guys this country has a lot to do more than IT. Please think rationally and out of the box before you could recommend a presidential candidate. This is the only chance to get to see a truly educated and a deserving candidate in the legislative set-up to address the issues of the country. The problem comes in the "random" selection these parties could come up with. I am sure we will be surprised by our great politicians by announcing the name of such a random person as they did before. I remember how i wondered the replacement for Dr Kalam would be!
I beg to submit the name of Dr.M.S.Swaminathan for the post of President
of India. He is an eminent Scientist who is the father of Green
revolution. His contribution to the increase in agricultural out put is
significant and appreciated by all.He is like our former Presidents like
Dr. Radhakrishnan and Dr. Abdul Kalam who worked for the cause of
spreading quality Education. I feel Dr.Swaminathan's name would be
considered and he would be a good President.
Mr Narayana Murthy, would be a great choice for the post.
He will give a clear message to the world of India's emergence as a super power.
Ratan Tata, will make a great president and Tata's have played a huge role in protecting India's dignity, even during Raj.
Tata's have affected all aspects of Indian life for over a century.
Another great choice would be a hugely respected politician SM Krishna, a technocrat and politician of impeccable honesty. So would be the defence minister AK Anthony or speaker Meira Kumar.
Farookh Abdulla would be a great choice, as well as Nitish Kumar Chief Minister of Bihar who has turned round Bihar.
Who knows, the UPA & NDA might have already arrived on a consensus
candidate after due consultation and hence there is no point in discussing that who would be most suitable candidate for the post of President.For instance we were not knowing until the incumbent President Her Excellency Mrs,Pratiba patil's name was proposed by the UPA.We can only request the political parties to choose a consensus Candidate to avoid election.
Honest,deserving and upright men like kalam and sreedharan of delhi
metro are eligible for president post
Exactly, Mr. Narayana Murthy is the best candidate for the post and like Mr. Kalam,
he will give India a new vision and youngsters will be motivated.
Albeit due respects for the post, except for eminent few like Mr.Kalam, rest were mere rubber stamps. I am trying to scratch my head reconciling was these just laid down pre-requisites of congress and other its allied parties were not relevant when they went through the process of electing a replacement for Mr.Esteemed Kalam
How about Mr Narayana Murthy. Unlike our present old and washed-out politicians, Mr Murthy is an honest,smart and a successful enterpreneur. Is he not a better one than what we have been having???
Ambiguous stand and statement cannot get any better than this. DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan said the President's post needs some political knowledge and legal expertise. "That does not mean that he should be too political," he said.
To become the President of India one should not necessarily posses a political background.A consensus should emerge in favour of Mr Ratan Tata for the office of the President.
Dr. Kalam is a perfect choice!
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