New Delhi: The CPI(M) today said the Congress and the UPA would not be able to get their Presidential nominee elected on their own strength and would have to depend on other parties.
“So a Presidential candidate, based on a wide agreement, should be selected. The CPI(M) will consult with the Left and other secular opposition parties before taking a final stand,” the CPI(M) Politburo said after a two-day meeting here.
Party sources said the ruling coalition would have to depend on other parties to support its nominee.
It said the Congress and the UPA “cannot get a candidate elected on their own strength”. Party sources said the ruling coalition would have to depend on other parties to support its nominee.
The major Left party has been asking the Congress to formally announce its Presidential nominee first. CPI(M) leaders have held formal and informal consultations with other Left parties, besides Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
The CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc had met last Friday with their leaders favouring a consensus candidate for the President’s post, on whom there was “a wide agreement”. The other Left parties were also consulting other secular opposition parties in this regard.
PTI
