news details |
|
|
| Process begins to elect new President | | |
BL KAK
NEW DELHI, JUNE 12: The process to elect new President of India has been set in motion. The Union Cabinet has given its formal approval to the election schedule prepared by the Election Commission. The Election Commission was largely expected to follow the schedule of 2002 when the notification was isued on June 11 and the polling took place in the third week of July.
Another significant development round the corner: Autumn session of Parliament is quite likely to be held on the eve of Presidential election. The reason: Presence of all MPs in the Union capital for the Presidential poll can be ensured during Parliament session.
At present, spotlights are on the supremo of the Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, who has hardened her stand against the voice of dissent in relation to her nominee for the President's post. Sonia is conscious of the fact that Left parties' outside crucial suport to the Congress-led coalition government at the Centre does call for friendly, conciliatory gestures towards the Left leaders.
This, however, does not, as explained by a source close to the Congress chief, warrant Sonia's surrender to the Left leaders' whims. Since Left parties, particularly Marxists from West Bengal, have not taken gladly to Sonia rejecting Pranab Mukherjee's candidature for Presidential election, an atempt is being made by them (Left parties) to make the Congress party toe their line.
In all probability, the country may witness a keen contest between the ruling coalition and the opposition, the first since 1969 when independent candidate VV Giri defeated the official Congress party nominee Neelam Sanjiva Reddy with the active backing of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who had rebelled against the old guard in the party. And as per the indication available, incumbent Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat may take on the official nominee of the ruling United Progressive Alliance-Left Front nominee.
Hectic behind-the-scene parleys have started to finalise the UPA-Left Front combine, with indications available suggesting that the dice is heavily loaded in favour of Home Minister Shivraj Patil as the ruling coalition's nominee. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who is one of the leaders holding the key to the success of the UPA nominee has given her consent to Patil's candidature.
The Left Front is also likely to follow the suit since the Congress party has already informed them that it would not be possible for them to relieve Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the first choice of the Left from amongst a panel of candidates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
