Oppn huddles to take on NDA jointly

The term of office of the incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee expires in July. Before July 25 a new President has to be elected for the next five years. So, in view of the Presidential elections, Congress-led Opposition parties have held a meeting on the initiative of Congress President Sonia Gandhi over the lunch to reach a consensus candidate to take on NDA nominee jointly for the post of President. The main opposition Congress is seeking a larger unity among non-NDA parties ahead of the presidential election which could be taken forward to the upcoming assembly polls in states like Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, besides the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Before the Oppn meeting yesterday in which 17 political participated, a series of parleys have already happened between these leaders on the issue of putting up a joint opposition candidate to take on the official NDA nominee. Though the number clearly appears to be in favour of BJP-led NDA candidate in elections for the post of President, the Opposition is not prepared to let the ruling establishment go uncontested. They are also preparing ground for the alliance for the coming assembly elections in Karnataka, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and finally for the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. The Congress-led opposition meeting of 17 political parties failed to reach on a unanimous candidate, but the ball has been set rolling. The ruling BJP-led NDA does not appear to be in a mood to support the incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee for the second term in office. They want their own party affiliated candidate for the highest constitutional post of the nation. However, Congress and most others in the opposition parties are prepared to support incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee for the second consecutive term. Though neither the ruling establishment nor the opposition camp has declared the name of its candidate for the presidential elections, both wait for the other to declare the name of a candidate. Opposition is playing a wait and watch game. They hinted that let the ruling BJP-led NDA announce the name of the candidate for the Presidential elections. The opposition wants a personality of secular and liberal credentials and background for the post of President to keep the Constitution and secular fabric of the nation intact. While the BJP-led NDA wants the candidate for the post of President of their leaning to maintain smooth co-ordination with the govt. As the number is in favour of the ruling BJP-led NDA, their candidate may easily sail through. More than a unanimous candidate for Presidential election, the opposition wants to show their solidarity against the NDA in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Congress appears to have realized that it cannot defeat Narendra Modi-led BJP on its own. So, it has taken lead in uniting all opposition parties against the ruling NDA. Congress President Sonia Gandhi has done it before and she can also do it again. Undoubtedly, the Congress has weakened considerably and is shrinking day by day. So, it is utmost necessary for it to cobble up an alliance to give a stiff fight to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA. Being the biggest political party among the opposition, it has to work hard to bring all small and big opposition parties on board. Whoever may be decided for the presidential candidate by ruling or opposition parties, one thing must be kept in mind that while choosing for the post of President of India, he or she must be renowned and illustrious in the field of his or her activity. The post of President is the highest of the land. So the candidate must match the dignity, magnificence, and grandeur attached to the post of President of India.