UPA for political person at Rashtrapati Bhavan: Pawar

Mumbai, May 26 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister and NCP president Sharad Pawar today said there is a consensus among the ruling UPA coalition partners that the next President should be a ''political person''.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Pawar said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi held discussions with CPM leader Prakash Karat and other UPA allies, including himself, separately on the Presidential candidate.

''We have given our views, and the consensus is that the next President should be a political person. There is no question of a debate on the honesty or sincerity of a non-political person like the incumbent President. But, under the present situation where a single-party rule at the Centre is next to impossible in near future and coalitions are necessary for providing stable governments, a person with clear political thoughts and experience would help in providing correct advice in government formation. The candidate's secular credentials are also important,'' Mr Pawar said.

Mr Pawar said the UPA allies have entrusted the responsibility of choosing a candidate to the Congress who will, then, discuss with the allies and the Left parties before taking a final decision.

Asked about reports that NCP had suggested Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's name for the President's post, Mr Pawar said the reports were mischievous. ''As everybody knows, I have several friends in other political parties. This does not mean I vote for them,'' he added.

Without naming Ms Mayawati, Mr Pawar said that the recent assembly election results in Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in India, were also an important factor in the Presidential polls. The Prime Minister and the UPA Chairperson have already discussed the issue, he added.

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