The Congress candidate for the presidential election will “tide over the Mayawati hitch” in the coming week with the BSP supremo expected to endorse the party’s choice for the Rashtrapati Bhawan, including that of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil who has emerged as one of the front-runners for the top post. “The Uttar Pradesh chief minister may not have any objection to Mr Patil’s name if the Congress settles for him,” sources told Deccan Herald.
Ms Mayawati had earlier conveyed to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi her preference for Congress treasurer and former Uttar Pradesh governor Motilal Vora with whom the BSP leader has “excellent understanding”.
Resistance from Left
Mr Patil has raced ahead of his competitors within the Congress for presidential nomination, but still faces “resistance” from the Left and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The lobby managers for the Congress candidate are trying to “soften” NCP chief Sharad Pawar on the issue.
Sources said that a final picture on UPA’s presidential candidate would emerge by Wednesday after External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee — who, many thought, would be the first pick — holds a final round of discussions with Congress allies. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress president will have consultations with UPA partners, including CPM leader Prakash Karat, next week to hasten the finalisation of the UPA candidate.
The main Opposition NDA has already zeroed in on Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as its candidate who is lobbying for non-UPA votes from among the SP, AIADMK, TDP and RLD and other regional outfits seeking to float a Third Front. The Congress is confident that once Ms Mayawati officially announces her party’s support for the Congress candidate, it would not take long to strike a consensus with the Left and the NCP.
“The UPA candidate will be announced and known before the weekend,” sources said.