Even after being isolated on the presidential election, the Trinamul Congress is mulling to propose former West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi as its choice for the vice-presidential election.
Trinamul Congress sources stated that while Mr Gandhi would be their preferred choice, the party is also open to the idea of proposing the name of former Lok Sabha member and niece of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Krishna Bose, for the vice-presidential election.
However, the Trinamul Congress leaders said that the party has not yet sought the concurrence of either Mr Gopalkrishna Gandhi or Ms Bose so far for proposing their names for the vice-presidential election.
Sources said while Union rail minister and Trinamul Congress general secretary Mukul Roy would be attending the UPA meeting on July 14, the party would utilise the opportunity to propose its choice for the vice-presidential election in the meeting.
“If the Congress does not agree to our proposals we may take an independent stand on the issue of the vice-presidential election. Mr Roy will propose the name of Mr Gandhi for the vice-president post in the UPA meeting,” said a Trinamul Congress leader.
The vice-presidential election is slated for August 7. The Congress party appears inclined to renominate Dr Hamid Ansari for the post.
However, the Trinamul Congress has not yet clarified what stand it would take on the presidential election, with party leaders claiming that a decision would be taken three days before the election, which is scheduled for July 19.
Trinamul Congress sources, however, maintain that the party would most likely abstain from the presidential election. The Trinamul Congress has asked all its MPs and MLAs to be present in Kolkata from July 16 onwards.
Sources said that if the Trinamul Congress decides to take part in voting, all the MPs would exercise their franchise in Kolkata and has sought permission for this from the secretary-general of the Rajya Sabha, who is the returning officer.
The Trinamul parliamentary party is also slated to meet July 17 in Kolkata.