Left without candidate as Pranab says no

NEW DELHI: A day after Left parties reiterated that their preference for the President’s post continued to be the external affairs minister, the Congress leadership on Wednesday got Mr Pranab Mukherjee to publicly assert that he was not in the running.

“I reiterate that my role in the party and the government is decided by the Congress leadership. The chairperson of the UPA will announce the name of the Congress candidate for the presidential election after completing the process of consultation with UPA allies and supporting parties,” Mr Mukherjee said in a statement.

The statement is significant as it comes barely a day after Left parties said that only Mr Mukherjee can put up a credible fight. The Left parties are of the view that the going would be tough for a ‘political lightweight’ like Shivraj Patil in a contest against Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

In this context, Mr Mukherjee’s statement is aimed at telling the supporting parties, which have reservations over Patil’s nomination, that Ms Gandhi will have the final say in the selection of the UPA candidate.

But the Left has not yet given up efforts to mobilise opinion within the ruling side over their anti-Patil position. Left leaders had contacted DMK leader M Karunanidhi, RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav and NCP’s Sharad Pawar after the meeting of Front partners.

An angry Left also said that in the event of the Congress sticking to Mr Patil’s candidature, he will have to be fielded as a UPA candidate. “We will vote for the UPA’s candidate, but will not sponsor his candidature,” the Left leader said.

At the same time, Left leaders are aware of their limitations. With Ms Mayawati throwing her weight behind Ms Gandhi, the bargaining power of the Left now stands considerably reduced. As the Left has no option outside the UPA, it will finally have to give in to the Congress leader’s wishes.

In the Left’s talks with DMK leaders, the latter referred to the lack of options for those opposing the Congress’ president’s favourite. Their hopes hinge on a rethink in the Congress — something that looks highly unlikely at this juncture.