Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo and Corporate Affairs
Minister Veerappa Moily have emerged front-runners for the post of Vice
President of India. Though names of Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde,
Governors Margret Alva and Shivraj Patil and senior congress leaders Saifuddin
Soz and Mohsina Kidwai are also being
mentioned for the post.
But V Kishore Chandra Deo is a tribal and commands respect not only
within the Congress but also amongst the entire political spectrum. Same goes
with Veerappa Moily who hails from Karnataka and a backward. Moily’s name had
figured even during 2007 for the post.
But Dr Hamid Ansari was brought in at the last minute as the Left parties
insisted for him.
It is almost certain that Dr Hamid Ansari will not be re-nominated for
the post. There is also a likelihood that member of the minority community may
not figure either due to other political compulsions. It is argued that with P
A Sangma flaunting his tribal card in presidential campaign, Deo’s candidature may
puncture it. A five time Lok Sabha MP Kishore Chandra Deo is understood to have
also had a brief meeting with Sonia Gandhi recently.
But no one is sure what Sonia Gandhi would do. Highly placed sources in the Congress say
that Sonia Gandhi will discuss the issue with senior leaders once the Election
Commission issues a formal notification.
The UPA is in a far more comfortable position in the vice presidential
poll as it has clear majority in the electoral college comprising of 790 MPs of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The
UPA’s combined strength in both houses will touch 400 mark and with SP, BSP and
other non-NDA parties supporting, its nominee will get more than 460
votes. The Congress managers are of the
firm view that even Trinamool Congress will remain part of the UPA in the
President’s and Vice Presidential election irrespective of the political
differences.
The Vice Presidential election is
due on August 7. The last date of nomination has been fixed for July 20 and
voting will be on August 7.
The Vice-Presidential election requires 20 MPs as proposers and an equal
number as seconders. The Electoral College for the present election of the
Vice-President consists of 245 from
the Rajya Sabha including 12 nominated and 545 from the Lok Sabha including two
nominated.
