Cong unhappy over CPM stand on V-P candidate
Congress has indicated its discomfort with the CPM criteria of a non-political person for the post.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Even before Left parties could name their candidate for the vice-presidential election, the Congress has indicated its discomfort with the CPM criteria of a non-political person for the post.
According to senior Congress leaders there is a contradiction between the CPM’s demand that a political person be given the President’s post and its criterion of a non-political background for the vice-president’s post.
“The person who becomes the vice-president today can be in the race for the presidential elections five years later. There is a contradiction between what the CPM said then (presidential elections) and what it is saying now (vice-presidential elections),” a top Congress leader said. He indicated that the Congress would prefer a political heavyweight who suits the party.
The issue is likely to be discussed at a UPA-Left co-ordination committee meeting to be held on July 20. It will be preceded by a meeting of Left parties on Thursday where the Left’s choice of names for the post will be discussed.
Congress leaders are objecting to CPM’s criterion of a non-political background as the job involves running of the Rajya Sabha. The vice-president of India is ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha or its presiding officer.
According to the Congress, a non-political person might not be able to manage the running of the House in situations where MPs turn boisterous or tempers run high over sensitive and controversial issues. Mr Karat had, however, argued the role of the VP was not to make rules or policies.
According to senior Congress leaders there is a contradiction between the CPM’s demand that a political person be given the President’s post and its criterion of a non-political background for the vice-president’s post.
“The person who becomes the vice-president today can be in the race for the presidential elections five years later. There is a contradiction between what the CPM said then (presidential elections) and what it is saying now (vice-presidential elections),” a top Congress leader said. He indicated that the Congress would prefer a political heavyweight who suits the party.
The issue is likely to be discussed at a UPA-Left co-ordination committee meeting to be held on July 20. It will be preceded by a meeting of Left parties on Thursday where the Left’s choice of names for the post will be discussed.
Congress leaders are objecting to CPM’s criterion of a non-political background as the job involves running of the Rajya Sabha. The vice-president of India is ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha or its presiding officer.
According to the Congress, a non-political person might not be able to manage the running of the House in situations where MPs turn boisterous or tempers run high over sensitive and controversial issues. Mr Karat had, however, argued the role of the VP was not to make rules or policies.
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