National

Mulayam Singh favours consensus candidate

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 1. The Samajwadi Party today spoke up in favour of a consensus candidate for the Presidentship, citing the present standoff with Pakistan to justify its stand. The party supremo, Mulayam Singh Yadav, said that under the prevailing situation ``evolving a consensus on the next President would be in the interest of the country,'' said Mr. Yadav.

Rounding off a day of consultations, which included a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, and an hour-long meeting with CPI(M) general secretary, Harkishen Singh Surjeet , the SP chief said the People's Front would meet shortly to decide its candidate. Significantly, his stand was at variance with the stated position of the CPI(M) and the CPI who have been openly demanding that Mr. Narayanan be given a second term.

Mr. Yadav in fact, sought to put the blame on the Government and the main Opposition party, the Congress, for the absence of a consensus candidate. ``Both these parties erred in declaring support for candidates without trying to evolve a consensus.'' The party would willingly support a candidate agreed upon by both the BJP and the Congress. An election at this juncture would fracture the current mood of unity in the country.

The Congress kept its own counsel. The party chief, Sonia Gandhi, who returned here this morning from Kangra, is likely to confer with other Opposition leaders. The party would wait for an indication from the President before making its next move.

The Lok Janshakti party led by the former Union Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan, termed unfortunate the NDA 's decision to ``deny'' Mr. Narayanan a second term. ``We strongly believe that he has conducted himself in the most dignified and respectful manner, adhering to the propriety of being the first citizen of our country,'' said Manish Mishra, party spokesperson. The party emphasised that a second term for Mr. Narayanan would have sent a positive signal to the underprivileged sections of society. ``His elevation to such heights has been a symbol of hope and dignity to the millions who are destitute,'' he said.

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