Front Page

Congress for Kalam, Left still for contest

By Our New Delhi Bureau

NEW DELHI JUNE 13. The Congress today declared that it would support A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the ruling National Democratic Alliance's proposed presidential candidate. While the Congress decision virtually ensures Dr. Kalam's victory, the prospects of a contest — even if a token one — have not dissipated altogether as the Left Front remains unchanged in its commitment to put up a fight against the NDA nominee.

Within an hour of the Congress going public with its decision, Dr. Kalam rang up the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, to thank her. From among the non-NDA political forces, the Samajwadi Party had already announced itself in favour of Dr. Kalam.

The Congress decision, arrived after "extensive consultations'', is being described as the triumph of "realism'' over "romanticism''. That the political realists, headed by the Kerala Chief Minister, A.K.Antony, began making themselves heard; and the "Antony line'' prevailed once Ms. Gandhi indicated her preference for it. Her own role in the three days of prolonged decision-making was described by one senior CWC member as one of "sensitivity and maturity''.

The Congress spokesperson, Jaipal Reddy, cited the "totality of circumstances and the candidature of Kalam'' as the crucial elements in the final decision; nonetheless, he expressed "respect'' for the viewpoint of the Left. The decision, Mr. Reddy said, was unanimous.

Asked whether the decision would sour the party's relations with the Left, Mr. Reddy answered in the negative and said: "Our relations with the Left have always been ideologically-oriented; and our differences are tactical.'' He pointed out that Manmohan Singh and Natwar Singh, both senior CWC members, called on the CPI(M) general secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, to apprise him of the decision.

However, the party informed Atal Behari Vajpayee and the NDA through the media. "They informed us perfunctorily; we'll inform them through this press conference.'' The decision to support Dr. Kalam's candidature was apparently firmed up this morning at an "unofficial CWC" which was attended by Ms. Gandhi, her two political secretaries, Ambika Soni and Ahmed Patel, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Natwar Singh.

The party said that Dr. Kalam had been entrusted with the country's missile development programme by the Congress and the United Front Governments. "Don't forget that George Fernandes removed him. Then he was given a `sinecure' job of scientific adviser to the Prime Minister. So, he is not the BJP's or the NDA's first choice."

As soon as the Congress indicated that it was going to go its separate way, the Left parties went into a huddle and decided to take a final view tomorrow at a formal meeting of the Left Front.

The basic position to oppose Dr Kalam's candidature remains and tomorrow's meeting would decide the form and fashion in which this could be carried out. The possibility of fielding a candidate from among the Left parties is high with at least two of the four constituents — The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and All-India Forward Bloc (AIFB) — favouring the move. The CPI(M) politburo member, Prakash Karat, said the party would consult the politburo members ahead of tomorrow's meeting. "Our stand to oppose the candidature of NDA nominee remains".

The RSP and the AIFB said they were "not surprised" by the Congress decision. "We are not against the candidate (Dr. Kalam) but the policies and politics of the NDA," the RSP secretary, Abani Roy, said while the AIFB secretary, G. Devarajan, said the party was "well aware of the class character of the BJP and the Congress."

The CPI-ML general secretary, Dipankar Bhattacharya, said Dr. Kalam's selection was in line with the "Sangh Parivar's line of aggressive militarisation and the Advani's doctrine of defence as the key to development''. The party welcomed the opposition to Dr. Kalam's candidature and also the dissolution of the People's Front.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Congress for Kalam, Left still for contest
• Overwhelmed, says Kalam
• Deshmukh wins trust vote
• India, Pak. need to talk: Rumsfeld
• Modi for reforming `madrassas'
• Youths held
• Warships back
• Bill approved
• Mexico, Italy qualify

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu