As the opposition parties begin discussions on fielding a joint candidate for the upcoming presidential elections, their search for an acceptable and credible face brings them again to the door of Gopal Krishna Gandhi, a former administrator, diplomat and governor and grandson of the Mahatma. Took it to Gandhi.
Sources said NCP leader Praful Patel, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and his CPI counterpart D Raja spoke to Gandhi during the Left leaders’ meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday.
Gandhi is understood to have told him that he would return after consulting his family members.
West Bengal Chief Minister on Wednesday Mamata Banerjee Mentioned his name – as well as that of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah – at a meeting of opposition parties, the first official exercise to reach a common candidate.
When contacted, Gandhi told Indian Express That “it’s too early for me to comment”.
Gandhi was in the form of joint opposition candidate in 2017 as well, but after the ruling NDA declared Ram Nath Kovind as its candidate, the parties fielded former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Gandhi was then fielded as the opposition candidate for the post of Vice President.
Sources said the Left wants Gandhi if Pawar and Abdullah should turn down the opposition parties’ request for him to be their candidate. Pawar has already clarified that he is not interested. Abdullah is also said to have no interest in throwing his hat in the race.
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Gandhi was the Governor of West Bengal during the first term of the UPA. Interestingly, remarks by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Wednesday’s meeting indicate that the party is open to the consideration of Gandhi’s candidature.
Kharge said that the opposition candidate should be one who is “committed to uphold the Constitution of India, its values, principles and provisions in letter and spirit; someone committed to guarantee that all the institutions of our democracy are without fear or favour. someone committed to protecting the rights of all our citizens and preserving the secular fabric of our diverse society; someone committed to speaking out boldly against the forces of prejudice, hatred, bigotry and polarization; and someone committed to speaking out against the forces of social Committed to be a powerful force to advance justice and empowerment.”