Congress may lend helping hand to allow CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, to get re-elected to Rajya Sabha when his term ends in August.
As part of a strategy to reach out to other parties to forge an Opposition unity against a resurgent BJP-led NDA under PM Modi, Congress may lend helping hand to allow CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, to get re-elected to Rajya Sabha when his term ends in August.
Yechury's party has just 26 MLAs in West Bengal Assembly which is far too less to win. But, Congress has 44 MLAs and with their support the Left stalwart can easily sail through. Congress sources said party Vice President Rahul Gandhi was keen on Yechury's presence in Parliament at a time when all secular forces are trying to unite against the Modi government. They believe that Yechury has been very effective in leading the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and has also been in the forefront in uniting the parties on numerous issues.
Notwithstanding, the helping hand offered by the Congress, Yechury may face internal problems within his own party. There is no convention of party general secretary holding the membership of Parliament as well. When he took over as the General Secretary from Prakash Karat two years ago, he was already an MP. Another hurdle is the tradition followed by the CPI(M) that no one should get more than two terms in the Rajya Sabha, though no such restriction is laid down in the CPI(M) constitution. The Kerala CPI(M) is known to be against a third term to Yechury.
Like late Harkishan Singh Surjeet who played an anchor and helped Congress President Sonia Gandhi to cobble up an alliance of secular parties to unseat NDA in 2004 general elections, Yechury is also working for an opposition unity to field a common candidate for the Presidential poll scheduled in July.
Yechury met Gandhi on Thursday at her official residence. The meeting followed a discussion between Gandhi, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on the issue on Thursday. He has also held informal discussions with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad.
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 "Sitaram Yechury")
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