Mamata, who visited 10 Janpath, Sonia's residence, at the latter's invitation, told reporters that there was no discussion on names. But she added that they agreed that the Opposition should unite to field a consensus candidate.
Even as the Congress on Tuesday indicated that it will support a second term for President Pranab Mukherjee if he agrees to it, party president Sonia Gandhi didn't push for any names at a meeting with Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banjerjee. The meeting had been called to discuss the possibility of fielding a consensus candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections in July.
Mamata, who visited 10 Janpath, Sonia's residence, at the latter's invitation, told reporters that there was no discussion on names. But she added that they agreed that the Opposition should unite to field a consensus candidate.
Sonia had earlier held meetings with JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, NCP leader Sharad Pawar and Left leaders Sitaram Yechuri and D Raja. Sources in the Congress said that Sonia wants to use the Presidential elections as a test case to unite Opposition parties for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to prevent another term for Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister.
Mamata was also meeting JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, and said she plans to be in Delhi again early next week to rope in Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to join the Opposition in throwing a challenge to the Modi government's candidate. "We want the entire Opposition to come together and agree on a consensus candidate who will be good for the country," she told reporters.
The NDA despite impressive victories in the recently concluded state elections of UP and Uttrakhand commands just 48.10 per cent support in the electoral college. A united Opposition, on the other hand, has 51.90 per cent support of elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and members of all Legislative Assemblies.
Congress chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters that Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi are holding discussions with the Opposition parties to build a consensus on a joint opposition candidate in the presidential election. He said efforts are on to field candidates for both the posts of the President of India and the Vice-President and the names would be announced once a consensus is reached.
Explaining why the Congress won't allow an NDA candidate to be elected for the top post, Surjewala said: "It is the role of the President of India and Vice President to counsel the government when it loses its way. So bereft of political partisanship, you need on these posts individuals who will be able to uphold the highest principles as enshrined in the Constitution." Surjewala said the Congress was proud that current President Pranab Mukherjee came from the pedigree of thought process and an ideology that has been a centre-point of this country since its formation up till today and would be in future.
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