'Pratibha Patil was PM's choice for President'

Pratibha Patil is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's choice for the post of President, claims Communist Party of India's D Raja.

While talking to rediff.com, Raja, who is soon going to be sworn-in as a Rajya Sabha member said, "On Thursday afternoon, at one point of time, we were looking for a new list because we had reservations against some names that were before us and the UPA had reservations with others. At that point of time we, the leaders of the Left parties, asked if a woman candidate could be chosen. Dr Singh responded positively and named Pratibha Patil."

In that meeting at 7, Race Course Road, were Dr Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Left leaders Prakash Karat, Sitaram Yechury, Raja and A B Bardhan.

In response to Dr Singh's suggestion of Patil's name, Bardhan readily agreed because he knows her. He said that Patil has had a long and illustratious career, and is known to be a competent person.

However, according to sources, a senior DMK leader had never heard of her and asked a Congressman if she is the wife of Home Minister Shivraj Patil?

Even many Left leaders had no clue about Patil's career and her talent, eventually, there was general approval and appreciation for her as a Presidential candidate.

Pratibha Patil may thank Left parties, also, for getting this historical nomination because they rejected Shivraj Patil's name, therefore paving the way for her.

According to CPI leaders, Shivraj Patil's record as a former Lok Sabha Speaker was controversial when they claim to have found him succumbing to BJP pressures. They also thoght that in the handling of some north-east states like Mizoram, Patil has not performed well as Home Minister.

When asked if the Left is not going too far in demanding their share of power, Raja rejected such an assumption.

He said, "I won't agree with that. Critics don't know what is Left's politics and democracy. We are, in some respect, far superior to American democracy. By Thursday's development Indian democracy has matured. Ours is a multi-party Parliamentary democratic system. In such a system, taking a decision is a collective process and no one individual decides."

While elaborating upon the process by which the Presidential candidate was nominated, Raja argued that the Left party's actual vote share is not only important thing.

He said, "The Left is a force to be reckoned with. We have our opinions and you can't undermine us. The Left is supporting the government from outside. We feel that our voice must be heard and others should properly understand our position."

He cleverly asked, "Can the Congress win with just its votes? If you put together the UPA with the Left, BSP and some small parties, you are at a great advantage. The quantity of Left is not an issue here. When Left parties extend support, it has a political meaning.

"When we support the Presidential candidate the message goes to the masses that it's a politically correct decision. We saw on Thursday that a collective process was evolved to take important decision."

Raja also said that External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's name had been suggested by the Congres and it was not a Left-approved choice.

He said, "None of the names were our name. First Mukherjee's name came to us then they said that he couldn't be spared."

Raja added, "The Congress should explain why they did not send only one name for other parties' consideration? Why were there so many names?"

While talking about the possible contest for the post of President, Raja said, "Let Bhairon Singh Shekhawat retire from the contest -- it will be a magnanimous act at his age. After all, Pratibha Patil is the unanimous candidate of UPA and is supported by the Left and BSP. The numbers are in her favour. Why force a contest?"

He strongly criticised Shekhawat's campaigning before the UPA candidate could be finalised -- "Why is the NDA allowing Shekhawat to go around the country as a candidate? They should have waited for the UPA's announcement.  What was the tearing hurry for them to float Shekhawat's name? It is a dishonest and shameful act on their part."

He said that Shekhawat cannott be considered as an independent entity -- "Everybody knows Shekhawat's political affiliations. He was in the BJP. How can he become independent?"