Presidential poll: Congress' prospects
brighten, Pranab leads race
Monday May 07, 2012 09:10:14 AM,
IANS
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New Delhi: Having made
the first moves in the presidential polls by reaching out to its
allies, the Congress has brightened the prospects of sending its
candidate to the Rashtrapati Bhavan but faces a difficult choice
in selecting its nominee from among possible names such as Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Hamid Ansari.
With speculation rife over whether Ansari, Mukherjee or a dark
horse will emerge as the official nominee, allies of the party
have been guarded about speaking in the media about their
preference. But their off-the-record remarks and conditional
answers indicate a growing enthusiasm for Mukherjee as the choice.
After DMK chief M. Karunanidhi Saturday pledged his party's
support for the finance minister if his name is proposed as the
presidential candidate, a Congress leader told IANS Sunday that
Mukherjee was the front-runner at present.
"He is the front-runner," the leader said, speaking on the
condition of anonymity.
Speculation about Mukherjee emerging as the choice grew after
Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdury Thursday clarified her
remarks about indispensability of Mukherjee to the government.
Other constituents of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance
(UPA) have also hailed Mukherjee's abilities.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader and union minister Ajit Singh said
that there was no doubt about Mukherjee's abilities and the fact
that he deserved the post of president.
While Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has
maintained that no individual names have been discussed, a party
leader has said on the condition of anonymity that Mukherjee
suited the party more.
Congress spokesperson Raashid Alvi said that the party was trying
to evolve a consensus in the presidential polls.
"Very soon, we hope to create a consensus," Alvi told IANS.
He said the name of candidate will be decared after the process of
consultations.
After its leader Sushma Swaraj's remarks on the possible
candidates of the Congress backfired, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
has also sought to change tack.
Party leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that a consensus will be
an ideal situation.
The party has also promised to consult its allies in the
presidential election.
BJP's hopes of parties such as AIADMK, Biju Janata Dal and
Samajwadi Party coming up with name of a common presidential
candidate against the Congress have come unstuck so far.
Samajwadi Party has kept its cards close to its chest but has
betrayed no indication of going against the Congress. Party
supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's remarks about his preference for a
political president are being seen as an indirect backing for
Mukherjee.
Though Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has said
officially that all her options were open, Congress leaders
believe the mercurial leader would find it difficult to oppose
name of Mukherjee, a fellow Bengali.
The Left parties seem agreeable to both the names doing rounds as
Congress candidates but want to comment on the nominee only after
a name is officially announced.
In the electoral college to elect the new president, neither UPA
or BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) command a majority.
A contest, if necessary, will be held in July.
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