Left zeros on Ansari, Jeevan Reddy

New Delhi, July 20: The Left parties are believed to have shortlisted the names of former Diplomat Hamid Ansari and former Law Commission Chairman Justice Jeevan Reddy for vice-presidentship.

Sources told sources that the names have already been conveyed to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh.

The names were finalised at the joint meeting of the CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc held at the CPI(M) headqaurters, A K Goplan Bhawan.

However, the Left leaders chose to keep the cards close to their chest and instead advised the media to mention all the names which have been figuring for quite some time.

Besides holding discussions with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the Left leaders would talk with leaders of the RJD, LJP, DMK and other allies of the UPA and the supporiing parties as part of the excercise to evolve a 'broader consensus,' on their vice-presidential candidate.

While Mr Ansari is former Ambassador to South Africa and Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Justice Reddy has high secular credentials and is known as a pro-labour Judge on the lines of Justice V R Krishna Iyer. Mr Ansari, a seasoned diplomat, who had served as India's permanent representative at the United Nations, seems to be the first choice of the Left parties.

Meanwhile, National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdulla visited the Ajoy Bhawan, the headqaurters of the CPI to garner support for himself.

He was closetted with the CPI leaders led by party veteran and General Secretary A B Bardhan. Dr Abdullah called on CPI( M) General Secretary Prakash Karat yesterday to discuss the issue.

While Mr Rashid Masood is the candidate of the UNPA, the NDA is to announce the name tomorrow.

UNI