UPA, Left to be truly involved in choosing VP nominee: Congress

New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) The Congress today asserted that a nominee of the UPA-Left for the election to the post of Vice-President would be identified through a "consensual and collective exercise." ''Such an exercise is already underway...It is a process in which all coalition partners and supporting Left and others will be truly involved in keeping with the true dharma of coalition,'' AICC spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons, in reply to a question whether the Congress was in favour of a political or a non-political person for the second highest constitutional post.

He said a Vice-Presidential nominee would be chosen with the same degree of harmony and unity as in the case of the Presidential candidate selection.

Asked if the Congress had given up its claim for Vice-presidential nominee, Dr Singhvi said "there is no question of any claim...a multitude of factors had to be taken into consideration. These are not to be discussed under the glare of media and the civil society." Referring to yesterday's Presidential poll, he said the victory of UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil was a foregone conclusion. "The results are more or less known...even the sceptical observers cannot run away from reality...there is history in the making...a lady from Jalagaon (Maharashtra) will light the lamp in Raisina Hills." But the larger question was that if at all the efforts made by the BJP-led NDA to denigrate the highest constitutional office was necessary in the run up to the Presidential poll.

"The BJP should have avoided the self-inflicted wounds through its misleading innuendos and attempts to connect the unconnectibles.

The nation expected more from those who claim to be responsible opposition." In this context, Dr Singhvi said it was a remarkable irony that the so-called unity in the NDA was in tatters at the end of four weeks of false campaign against Ms Patil.

Replying to a question on a few AIADMK and MDMK members voting in yesterday's presidential poll despite the call of the "Third Front" for abstention, he said "The Third Front had a three day life... It died a natural death in three days.' "Was all this necessary for a non-existent, non-united Third Front?" he asked.

Replying to another question, Dr Singhvi said it was AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa who alone should explain her inconsistency in her stand.

Asked about the vigilance inquiry ordered by Marxist-led government in Kerala against PCC Chief Ramesh Chennithala into the allegation that he had received Rs ten crore from a Chit company, Dr Singhvi said "there is a so-called charge... we will look into it. However, I certainly deny insinuation." UNI SH MSJ KP1800