Prez Poll: Cong denies tug of war with Left

New Delhi, June 13: Dismissing all suggestions about the Left not taken into confidence with regard to the Presidential candidate, the Congress today asserted that there was no question of taking any party for granted or being discriminated against. ''All views are taken on board,'' Congress Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan emphasised replying to queries on the Left parties' grouse against the party on the issue of nominee for Presidential election.

She was replying to a question about inconsistency in the statement of BSP supremo Mayawati and the Left leaders yesterday. Ms Mayawati, it was pointed out, had said at her press conference that she had reached an agreement with Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the Congress nominee, but the name would be formally announced by Ms Gandhi later while CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat had stated that no name of the Congress nominee had been given to them.

Refusing to elaborate on the Presidential candidate beyond saying that consultations were on, Ms Natrajan said these were 'sensitive issues.' "Talks were on and as soon as the UPA candidate was decided an announcement to this effect would be made," she said and added, "I am giving no time frame.It would be announced in due course. There is no tug of war (with the Left) and no disrespect to any party," she said, adding, "All allies are treated with equal respect." Asked how the CWC left everything to the wisdom of Ms Sonia Gandhi with regard to the decision on the Presidential candidate, Ms Natarajan said it would not be a unilateral decision by anybody.

''The UPA allies will put forward a leader of great stature as a Presidential candidate who will win the election,'' she asserted.

UNI