Date:26/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/26/stories/2007062658791401.htm

National

Non-Congress candidate for Vice President

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday said the Left parties would play a role in the selection of a non-Congress candidate for the vice-presidential poll.

After being a party in finalising the UPA-Left candidate Pratibha Patil for the presidential election, there is a “general understanding” that the candidate for the post of Vice President would go to a non-Congress person. CPI (M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury indicated that the formulation does not exclude the Left.

He, however, dismissed reports that Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, was a favourite for the post of Vice President. Sources in the CPI (M) have maintained that there was no logic in seeking to move Mr. Chatterjee from one chamber to another and making him the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

The Vice President has to be somebody who knows the polity and functioning of the Rajya Sabha,” he said, when asked whether a non-politician could be considered for the post.