| Ansari set to get second term as vice-president |
NEW DELHI Incumbent Hamid Ansari was on Saturday named UPA’s candidate for the vice-presidential poll in which he is set to get a second consecutive term even though ruling coalition ally Trinamool Congress remained non-committal on support.
The name of Ansari, 75, was announced by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at a meeting of the Congress-led coalition at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s residence in New Delhi.
A career diplomat, Ansari was the only choice of the UPA which was approved at the meeting, also attended by Trinamool Congress representative and Railway Minister Mukul Roy.
Roy, whose party had opposed Pranab Mukherjee’s candidature for president’s post last month, suggested the names of former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and former MP Krishna Bose. Another UPA constituent VCK of Tamil Nadu suggested a Christian candidate.
These suggestions were ignored by the UPA Chairperson as also the prime minister.
“Mohammed Hamid Ansari will complete shortly a term as vice-president of India. He has presided over the Rajya Sabha with dignity and distinction. The UPA is honoured to nominate him as its candidate for a second term as vice-president of India,” Sonia said.
Later, Home Minister P Chidambaram said Roy had “applauded” the announcement of Ansari’s candidature.
However, Roy contradicted him at a separate press meet when he made it clear that he had given no commitment of support and the party’s position will be decided by its chief Mamata Banerjee.
Ansari’s candidature for the August 7 poll was immediately supported by Samajwadi Party and BSP.
The electoral college for the vice-presidential poll comprises 790 MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. As per the support committed so far, Ansari is expected to get 423, substantially higher than the required 395.
This is except the Trinamool Congress.
In the last election, Ansari had polled 455 votes against 222 for Najma Heptullah fielded by NDA. Rashid Masood of the now defunct United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) had got 75 votes.
At that time, Ansari’s candidature was floated by the Left parties, which were key outside supporters of the UPA.
At the UPA meeting, Singh proposed Ansari’s name and sought the suggestions of the leaders present. Later, Sonia made the announcement.
Chidambaram said “all leaders” present at the UPA meeting “accepted” the candidature of Ansari.
Accepting the decision in “all humility”, Ansari thanked all political parties who supported his name and “reposed in me for shouldering once again the responsibility of this high office.
Singh also spoke to CPM leader Prakash Karat.
Chidambaram said Singh also talked to BJP leader LK Advani before the meeting to indicate that there was “overwhelming” support for Ansari’s candidature.
Press Trust of India
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