New DELHI: Even as political circles and media pundits have “anointed the Congress KR Narayanan as the front runner “for the Vice Presidents post he is yet to be sounded out either formally Or informally by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao.
While the former diplomat and inion Minister has not actively lobbied for the post he is said to not averse to accepting it. Political circles have virtually presumed will get the Congress nomination but despite his being in the Capital he has not yet been approached by his party.
“Sources close to Narayanan said the uncommon enthusiasm shown by the Left for his candidature is possibly working against him. It is felt that Rao might opt for some Other Scheduled Caste or Tribe candidate just to show that he is not yielding ground to the Left.
Ironically Narayanans name had initially been suggested by aides of Rao and the Prime Minister had reacted favorably the sources said. But true to style Rao is currently playing his cards close to his chest keeping his own party as well as the Opposition guessing.
Observers say that Union Petroleum Minister B.Shankaranand and former Home Minister Buta Singh could both emerge as strong contenders for the Vice Presidents job. Both belong to the Scheduled Castes and though they profess not to be interested are said to be quite keen on the promotion.
However both are controversial and might find it difficult to gain wide acceptability. In their favor is the fact that politically they carry more weight than Narayanan
Observers feel the Prime Minister they reformed the announcement of the Congress vice presidential candidate for now and concentrate only on the presidential election.
The President is to be elected in July when the incumbent B.Venkataraman retires ordinarily the Vice-Presidents election would have come up only in September when S.D.Sharmas term is due to end. But with Sharma emerging as the front runner to replace Venkataraman the post could fall vacant next month itself.
Moreover the current political equations in which the Congress has to get the support of one of the two major Opposition groups in order to see its candidates through has resulted in the elections to the two posts getting linked. Even if there is no direct quid pro quo as demanded by the BJP the Congress to ensure that its two candidates balance each other to constitute a political package that is acceptable to all.
Though a Congress MP Narayanan is being seen more as a candidate of the Left. His name has received widespread support across party lines as besides fulfilling the current political criterion of belonging to the Scheduled Castes he possesses a sober scholarly and non-controversial image.
For these reason the Left parties see him as a solution to their dilemma-they can please their ally the Janata Dal by promoting a Scheduled Caste candidate while actually backing someone who should gain the post on merit.
Narayanan is said to be extremely happy about receiving support from most sections of the Press and has been inundated with a long number of phone calls from both friends and strangers.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1992
