Initiate process for consensus presidential candidate: Yechury

Akin to what the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government did in the past, the Narendra Modi government should initiate a process to choose a consensus candidate for the presidential election in July, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Sunday.

"In 2002, the then government, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, initiated a process to select a candidate for the President's post. This time, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government is yet to start any such process," he told reporters here.

"Some parties may or may not agree, but the government can start a customary process of consultation to zero in on a consensus candidate," the Left leader said.

He said the Congress started an initiative in this direction from April 20, involving the CPI-M. The Trinamool Congress later joined the process.

Yechury said the Communist Party of India-Marxist wants a consensus candidate.

"In view of the situation prevailing in the country, the President's post has acquired more importance since he is not only the custodian of the Indian Constitution but also plays a very crucial role in difficult situations."

As for a second term for President Pranab Mukherjee, the CPI-M leader said the Left parties support this.

--IANS

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