The Congress on Thursday made it clear that a discussion on the presidential nominees within the party has not yet begun. It has also indicated that any decision in this regard could be taken only after discussions with a “combination” (UPA allies) and “combinations” (supporting parties and non-BJP secular parties).
The Congress clarified its stand against the backdrop of increasing speculations about the presidential aspirants, especially after a meeting between Samajwadi Party MP Kironmoy Nanda and Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in this regard. Mr Nanda met Ms Banejee as a Samjawadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s emissary in Kolkatta a few days ago.
The current mood in the Congress allies, consisting of the Trinamul Congress, the DMK, the NCP and the National Conference, is that their choice about a presidential nominee should be backed by the Congress.
Some of them are in touch with other regional parties too. It will be interesting to see whether pressure tactics by the regional parties on the UPA, NDA and outside, could work in this election.
The Congress, heading the ruling UPA, would naturally want to have its nominee to become the next President. And its “crisis managers” would walk extra miles to evolve a “consensus” on the party nominee.
According to the sources, the BJP is in favour of backing a non-Congress regional heavyweight in this election.
A Left leader said, the Congress may begin an informal consultations with political leaders in this regard between April 22 and May 24.
Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, AIADMK chief Jayalal-ithaa, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar would play a role of “king-maker” in this election.
While NCP chief Sharad Pawar and DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi would play a role behind the scene, it will be interesting to see whether this combination could bring the BSP and Left closer to the Congress.