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Left-leaning Vice President on the cards |
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There are reports that the country may have a Left-leaning Vice President after the expiry of the term of Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in August this year. The Congress is reported to have conceded the Left’s claim to the post of Vice President in return for the Left support for its nominee for the Presidentship.
There are, however, reports that the CPI(M), the most important Left party, is not keen on fielding an active politician for the post. The party could be willing to field a Left-leaning intellectual for the post. No names have been discussed so far, but it appears that the four Left parties, the CPI(M), the CPI, the RSP and the Forward Bloc have discussed the idea among themselves and with the Congress.
“We told the Congress that the Vice President’s post should be reserved for a non-UPA member and the Left has taken the initiative in looking for a person,” said a Left leader. The issue is likely to be discussed at the next meeting of the CPI(M)’s highest decision-making body, the Politburo.
With the Congress agreeing to a non-UPA choice for the VP’s slot, other parties in the ruling coalition should be willing to back the candidate as well. There was some speculation that the DMK might be interested in the post, but sources in the Left indicated that the Dravidian party is not keen.
With just the elected members of Parliament voting to elect the Vice President of India, the ruling block should not have any major hiccups in getting its candidate to win the election if all MPs vote on party lines.
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