Prez polls: Cong move for consensus blocked

New Delhi, June 10: The Congress' move to evolve a consensus onthe candidature of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for thePresidential post has run into difficulties with the Left and the NCPhaving expressed reservations about his name.

Soon after the Congress Working Committee(CWC) authorised Congresspresident Sonia Gandhi to select the party nominee for the post fromthe UPA, she deputed External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee tobuild a consensus among the UPA allies for Mr Patil's name for the toppost.

However, when Mr Mukherjee, along with his party colleagues, heldconsultations with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar here yesterday, he did notget the desired response from him.

Mr Pawar reportedly raised objections to Mr Patil's name on threecounts -- he had lost the Lok Sabha election and did not have themandate to become the President, his alleged dismal performance as HomeMinister and thirdly his alleged proximity to the Sangh Parivar.

The Left parties on the other hand have opposed Mr Patil'scandidature, saying he would not be able to offer a formidablechallenge to Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is likely toenter the poll fray as an independent candidate backed by the NDA. Theysaid Mr Patil may lose the Presidential election to Mr Shekhawat andproposed Mr Mukherjee's name for the post.

With the Left and the NCP remaining unconvinced about Mr Patil's name,they are likely to mount pressure on Ms Gandhi to opt for anothercandidate. However, despite all these reservations, Mr Patil, a SoniaGandhi loyalist, continues to be the front runner for the post. Andaccording to the Congress sources, both the Left and the NCP are likelyto fall in line and back Mr Patil's candidature.

Mr Mukherjee has been kept out of the race by Ms Gandhi assigninghim the task to work out a consensus on Mr Patil's name within the UPA.This was in view of his indispensability to the UPA Government as atrouble shooter.

The next few days are going to witness hectic consultations amongthe UPA allies to evolve a consensus on the Presidential candidate.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to meet or talk to non-UPA andnon-NDA parties in a bid to secure their consent for the UPA-Leftcandidate as they too command a sizeable number of votes in thePresidential election.

BSP supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has already committed her support to the UPA candidate.

UNI

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