CPI(M) 'no' to NDA's consensus idea on Prez

New Delhi, May 25: Rejecting as'non- serious' the NDA's offer for consensus on the presidential candidate, the CPI(M) today stated categorically that there is no question of the Left compromising on its criteria for the occupant of the country's highest constitutional office.

''Let the BJP and the NDA first decide what it exactly wants. In the beginning, it advocated a second term for Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, later it forwarded Vice -President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's name for the august office and now they are talking about consensus,'' CPi(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said.

Briefing reporters on the inaugural session of the two-day party Polit Bureau meeting, the Left leader made it clear that there is no question of evolving a consensus on the Presidential candidate as suggested by NDA Chairman A B Vajpayee.

In response to a specific query, Mr Yechury exuded confidence that the UPA, the supporting parties and the allies would be able to field a candidate within the Left's three-point broad criteria.

''We are holding discussions with all the friendly and secular parties to evolve consensus on the candidate who has impeccable secular credentials, expertise in political complexities and can keep a fine balance between the judiciary and the executive,'' said Mr Yechury, the party Rajya Sabha MP and Parliamentary Group leader.

Former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, who had been authorised by the NDA to name the Opposition's candidate for the presidential election, said recently that the NDA still wanted the President to be chosen by consensus. ''I am willing to strive for this purpose and will not hesitate to meet leaders of other political parties.'' Mr Yechury, however, parried questions relating to the BSP and the SP support to the UPA- Left candidate.

The two-day Polit Bureau deliberations are being attended by all the 17 members except party veterans- Jyoti Basu and H S Surjeet, obviously on health reasons. Party General Secretary Prakash Karat, and other senior leaders- Ms Brinda Karat, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan, Biman Basu and S R Pillai-are among those present at the meeting.

The Polit Bureau meet is being held at the party headquarters- A K Gopalan Bhawan- at a time when political activities have become hectic with the presence of BSP supremo and UP Chief Minister Mayawati in the national capital and DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi also visiting tomorrow.

Mr Yechury said the Polit Bureau would discuss in depth the recent assembly polls- UP, Uttarakand and Punjab, the party performance and likely ramifications.

''We are also discussing about holding the next Party Congress, its venue and the dates,'' the CPI(M) senior leader said adding that the party is also to discuss the latest situation in West Bengal.

On the joint boycott of the Congress, AITC and BJP of the All Party meet on Nandigram issue yesterday, the CPI(M) leader it is ''highly regrettable that they did so.'' Besides, their decision to join hands for the coming local body polls showed how desperate they all are to exploit the situation for the vested political reasons. ''Indeed they don't want that peace and normalcy is restored there. It is the hard political reality of the situation.'' To a specific query, he said it was now for the government, the administration and the party to see how they proposed to establish peace there ''because everybody wants peace.''

UNI