Mulayam-Mamta combine puts congress in a fix

The presidential race is becoming more intense with Mamta and Mulayam rejecting both the names suggested by Congress for the presidential race.Congress suggested the names of FM Pranab Mukherji as the first choice and that of Ansari the current Vice epresident as their second choice.Mulayam -Mamta combine not only rejected the names suggested by Congress ,but also suggested 3 alternative names which has embarrassed the congress . The names suggested by  Mulayam and Mamta are  former President Kalam as first choice , PM Manmohan singh as second choice and former speaker Somnath Chatterji as their third choice.

The move by  SP and TMC is surely a master stroke with a wide range of  ramifications.The first shock for congress could be the teaming up of Mamta and Mulayam.The congress does not have the required numbers to make their presidential nominee get through. They have to necessarily get the support of all the key allies.They were hoping to bank on Mulayam ,since Mamta could be unpredictable.So they were using the Mulayam card to tame Mamta in the past. But Mulayam and Mamta  teaming up is a shocker to the congress.This is surely a political oneupmanship by Mamta and Mulayam .

Mamta rejecting Pranab Mukherji's name is no secret and is on expected lines.They were not in their best terms even during Mamta's congress days.But to appease the local sentiment of helping a Bengali rise to the highest office of the nation ,she has suggested the name of the former speaker Somanth Chatterji,a former comrade of the CPM,as her third choice.But Somnath chatterji is surely a competent candidate .The second shocker to congress could be naming PM as their second choice.Was it a hint to the congress that it is time for a change of guard ? Close on the heels of S&P report blaming PM as ineffective in bringing in economic reforms Mamta has suggested Manmohan's name as their second choice for Presidential race.But congress will not be prepared to  crown the prince in waiting at this critical time when country's economy is in bad shape. Alternatively they have to hand over the reins to the most experienced and suave FM Pranab as PM. Congress would hesitate to hand over the reins to Pranab .They have done it in the past also before Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as PM.The  first choice of Mamta Mulayam combine is former President Kalam,a non controversial neutral person.But Congress would not support his candidature because BJP has already given a hint that it would favour Kalam as its candidate. Moreover last time Kalam became president as an NDA candidate .Backing an NDA candidate may not be in the interest of congress.These sudden twists has made BJP play a waiting game. If BJP sticks to their decision of supporting kalam as their candidate,there is the risk of congress losing the support of Mamta and Mulayam.They might go with NDA since it is their first choice. At this stage congress can ill afford to lose the support of Mamta and Mulayam.Agreeing to Manmohan as a candidate would mean a major shake up in the government.So Congress should take this opportunity to return the compliments to the Mamta Mulyam combine by springing a surprise by agreeing to Somnath Chatterji as the consensus candidate. such a move by congress would force Mamta and Mulyam  to agree to Somnath Chatterji as their candidate,because he is one among their choices. Mamta will also have the satisfaction of supporting a fellow Bengali to the  highest position in the nation.This will also preempt BJP naming Kalam as their candidate.Because  Kalam has already gone on record that he would not contest if  there is no consensus between major parties on his candidature.

Finally Somnath chatterji could become the consensus candidate of both UPA and NDA .This would be in the interests of the nation too.Somnath is no longer a CPM member.As a former comrade the left wing parties may also support his candidature. The role of president would assume significant  importance in view of the impending general elections to the parliament in 2014.In all possibilities there could be a fractured mandate and the president may have to exercise his constitutional powers in the best interest of the nation . A former Lok sabha speaker,an eminent parliamentarian and a lawyer himself,Somnath chatterji would be the ideal candidate. BJP and its NDA allies also might veer around to support Somnath chatterji .

One has to feel sorry for Pranab Mukherji .He narrowly missed the opportunity of becoming India's PM twice . But he continued to be the 'all weather man' of Congress warding off all storms and heat faced by the party at crucial times. The writing on the wall became very clear to Pranab ,that he could never aspire to become PM as long as the young prince in waiting Rahul Gandhi is cooling his heels .So he decided to nurture a desire to enter the Mughal gardens as India's  President.Unfortunately he had to contend with an adversary from his own state, Mamata an uncomfortable ally of the UPA.Congress would have liked to name Pranab for  the highest office to clear way for Rahul Gandhi to assume the PM's chair at a future date.Another unfortunate candidate to be dumped would be P.A.Sangma . It woul be  better for P.A.Sangma to withdraw from the contest,as his own party NCP may not support his candidature, since NCP is an ally of UPA .

Mamta's dislike for Pranab brought in Somnath Chatterji in to the race.His Bengali roots also helped him to get Mamta's favour to scuttle Pranab's chances.But it must  be admitted he is a worthy candidate . I wish all parties in NDA and UPA agree to Somnath's candidature and end this game of oneupmanship in the interest of the nation.In a decision arrived at consensus,the final decision is often not the first preference of the group and they may not even like the final result. But it is a decision to which they all consent because it is best for the group. So let there be a consensus in the interest of the nation.