VP, Karan Singh for political person for Prez post

New Delhi, May 24: Virtually endorsing the Left parties stand, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Congress leader Karan Singh the two possible contenders for the President's post -- have opined that the next occupant of Rashtrapati Bhavan should be ''an experienced political personality'' capable of upholding the majesty of the Constitution.

As the election for the President's post reaches its final stretch of political confabulations, the viewpoints of these two leaders have assumed much significance.

''The President should be an experienced political personality who can succeed in protecting the Constitution and maintaining harmony between all the three wings of democracy legislature, executive and judiciary,'' they told 'Outlook' (Hindi) in an interview.

Mr Shekhawat said the role of the President had always been of paramount importance in the country's polity and constitutional parameters.

''It is the country's highest constitutional post which is also the symbol of the entire people of India in the world. The most important responsibility of the person occupying this post is to ensure a judicious observance of the Constitution and maintain a perfect harmony between all the three wings of democracy.'' He observed that the post of the President in the Indian Constitution had been made supreme so that the coordination between the executive, legislature and the judiciary did not come under any strain.

Arguing that all the three wings of democracy had been accorded equal importance in the Indian Constitution, he said there was no scope for any clash between them.

Describing his tenure as the Vice-President as ''pleasant and positive'', the Vice-President, the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said he had received cooperation and confidence of all the parties and MPs.

He also made an impassioned appeal to all the political parties to make ''a serious introspection'' on how to find a solution to controversial problems in a spirit of mutual understanding and thus prevent the percious time of Parliament from being wasted because of unnecessary obstruction.

Mr Shekhawat suggested that political parties should sit together to thrash out solutions to the pressing problems of the country.

''Despite being a member of a political party, I, as the chief minister, never acted in a partisan manner. Even after becoming the Vice-President, I have always ensured that no one raises a finger on the sanctity of this constitutional post.'' He said as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he had treated all members of the House with equality and also given opportunities to everyone to raise his or her viewpoint.

UNI

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