Left, SP not averse to Ansari

The Left parties today maintained they were “yet to discuss” the issue of the Presidential elections. Speaking to Business Standard, CPI leader D Raja said, “The Left, including CPI, CPI(M) and Forward Bloc, will meet on May 4 to discuss the matter.”

While A P J Abdul Kalam’s name is also doing the rounds, the Left had opposed his candidature in 2002. Now that BJP is again putting forward his name, the Left is not too inclined on Kalam.

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters that while the party was keen on a “consensus” candidate, it was not averse to supporting Vice President Hamid Ansari.

“Several names are being floated. Being the ruling coalition, it is up to the UPA to take a stand and take other parties along,” Raja said.

While the BJP is opposing Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as a probable candidate for the top post, it was the Left which had backed Mukherjee last time when his name came up. Then, the UPA was not ready to let its main trouble-shooter go.

The Samajwadi Party has said it was in favour of an apolitical Muslim face. SP leader Kamal Farooqi on Tuesday said the party was ready to back Vice President Hamid Ansari.

Some other names proposed by the SP include former Rajya Sabha deputy chairman K Rahman Khan and Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi. Farooqi termed them “able” people, who have proved themselves in their respective fields.