Hamid Ansari may get a second term as Vice-President

NEW DELHI: Hamid Ansari could get a second term as Vice President with his name figuring high in the consultations Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has had with leaders of political parties but a contest may be on the cards.

The Prime Minister is believed to have discussed with JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda and CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat names of candidates for the August 7 poll for the Vice President's post in the last few days.

In the electoral college for the Vice President's election, comprising just the members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the UPA is comfortably placed to ensure the success of its candidate.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called our leader H D DeveGowda on Saturday and discussed about Vice-Presidential elections. Hamid Ansari's name came up during the discussion. Our party fully supports Ansari's candidature," JD-S spokesperson Danish Ali said.

"Hamid Ansari name was only name that was discussed and no other name came up during the discussion," he said.

Ali also said that it was very natural for incumbent Vice-President to get a second term if the ruling dispensation, during which he was elected the first time, comes to power next time too.

The Prime Minister's consultations followed the Congress Working Committee authorising party chief Sonia Gandhi to decide the candidate after discussions with allies and others.

The Prime Minister also held discussions with CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat last week but the Left leader declined to divulge the names discussed.

"He (Singh) spoke to me about three days ago. He wanted my opinion and I gave my opinion on the matter," Karat said.