The current mood of the ruling UPA constituents is not to reveal their cards on the presidential election until the Congress decides its nominee for the top post. “Why should we give our opinion on their names? Let the Congress comes out with its candidate first,” said a UPA leader who did not wish to be quoted.
On the other hand, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has yet to make up its mind on a presidential candidate. Asked whether he discussed the issue with the UPA constituents, especially the Trinamul Congress’ Mamata Banerjee, Mr Mulayam Singh said, “Hamari to baat-cheet hoti rehti hai (We keep talking to each other).”
Well-placed sources in the Congress said the party has not floated names in this regard and has instead undertaken a consultation exercise to learn the minds of its allies and supporting parties.
They said the party would first talk to its allies — Trinamul Congress, National Conference, Rashtriya Lok Dal, JVM(P) and Muslim League Kerala State Committee — and then extend the consensus-building exercise to other parties. “We have already talked to the DMK, the NCP and some one-member parties in this regard,” they said.
The RJD, led by Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav, the SP, the BSP and the JD(S) are backing the Manmohan Singh government from outside along with the AIMIM, Assam’s All-India United Democratic Front, Bodoland People’s Front, Kerala Congress (M), Nagaland People’s Front, Sikkim Democratic Front and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.
The Congress made it clear it was ready for both, consensus and contest, in the presidential election. Responding to questions, Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury said the party would talk to all political parties, including the main Opposition BJP. “It is always nicer when we get consensus and can move together. Otherwise, no one is afraid of any contest. We hope to have a consensus, that is our aspiration. If that does not happen, then there are other options as per the book,” Ms Chowdhury told reporters.
To another question, on whether the Congress was open to talking to the BJP to forge a consensus, Ms Chowdhury said, “You do not achieve anything by not being open. Our hands are always extended... We never said we will not talk to them (BJP)... We will definitely talk to the BJP. After all, nothing happens without talks. We will talk to everybody. Our doors are open for all,” she said.