June 13, 2007
Pranab Scotches Rumours of Candidature for President
New Delhi
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday clarified that
he was not a contestant for the presidential election next month,
even as a fresh round of speculations started over his possible
candidature.
"In the context of the forthcoming Presidential election, a number
of speculative and tendentious stories involving my name have
appeared in the print and electronic media," Mukherjee said in a
statement, his second on the issue in one month.
"While I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by
some leaders, I reiterate that my role in the party and government
is decided by the Congress leadership," he said.
"There is no room for any further speculation in this matter."
Mukherjee's name started doing rounds again after the Left leaders
held a second meeting Tuesday evening, reiterating their disapproval
of Home Minister Shivraj Patil as the candidate of the ruling United
Progressive Alliance (UPA).
After the meeting, Forward Bloc general secretary Debabrata Biswas
reiterated the Left parties' stated preference for Mukherjee.
The attitude of the Left parties fuelled speculations that UPA
chairperson Sonia Gandhi was under pressure to replace Patil with
Mukherjee.
According to informed sources, Mukherjee issued a clarification,
feeling such speculations would create doubt and suspicion in the
mind of the Congress president.
The minister said Sonia Gandhi will announce the name of the
Congress candidate after consultations with allies and supporting
parties and expressed confidence that her decision will have full
support by "all our allies and partners".
Meanwhile, seeing the confusion in the UPA ranks, the leaders of the
main opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) decided to
postpone their meeting to June 18.
"Let them (UPA) first announce their candidate, only then we can
decide our course of action," said Janata Dal-United president
Sharad Yadav.
Meanwhile, sources said the 'third front' of eight parties, launched
this month, was also considering nominating its own candidate for
the post. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah's
name was doing rounds as its candidate. Abdullah, however, could not
be contacted for comment.
The Election Commission Wednesday announced that elections to pick
the next president will take place July 19 and the votes will be
counted two days later.
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