Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar is one of those politicians who speaks only when he must. A most crafty practitioner of the art of politics, the Maratha Supremo is rarely, if at all, caught speaking out of turn. Therefore, when he d
oes choose to speak, everyone should pay heed. It is, for instance, common knowledge that of late Pawar has begun to strike a discordant note vis- a- vis the ruling coalition.
Be it the issue of the proposed food security scheme or the export of cotton, Pawar has felt strong enough to criticize the very government of which he is a senior member. Quite clearly, he too has come to believe that the Government is so weak that one can occasionally tick it off publicly, thus burnish ones image in the targeted constituency, and yet fear no harm whatsoever. Since, anyway, coalition dharma/ discipline has been hit for a six by almost every constituent in the UPA, Pawars joining the free- for- all ought not to raise any eyebrows. However, it is undeniable that a cool customer like Pawar openly dissenting against the UPA leadership does signify that he has come to see it as a sinking enterprise, lacking potential to correct itself in time for the 2014 general election.
That is why one would attach much significance to the latest intervention by Pawar in the public sphere. Referring to the coming presidential poll, the NCP leader said the other day that he would prefer a non- political person for the high constitutional office. Even if this was meant to be a trial balloon, his suggestion has caused much consternation in the Congress Party. It is seen as an early warning that Pawar and other allies would like to be consulted before the Congress zeroes in on its nominee for the next president.
Some have read in Pawars cryptic remarks a gentle hint to the Congress Party to seriously consider supporting the candidature of the former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP leader, Purno Sangma, for the high office. One could argue that Sangma is hardly apolitical, having been in active politics for more than three decades. But he had made a mark as the Lok Sabha Speaker. Besides, it could be an added attraction that he hails from the North- East. However, in case consensus eludes the ruling alliance on the name of Sangma, as it appears likely, the most prominent candidate with genuine apolitical credentials, as of now, has to be the former president APJ Abdul Kalam.
A number of groups are said to have already agreed on Kalams name, even if they are reluctant to state it officially. Among them is reported to be Mulayam Singh Yadavs Samajwadi Party, J Jayalalithaas AIADMK and Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress. Once Banerjee breaks ranks to support Kalam, other allies of the Congress in the UPA could follow her lead and bolster Kalams chances for a second stint in Rashtrapati Bhawan.
For instance, DMK could join the Kalam bandwagon considering that he hails from Tamil Nadu.
Since the ruling alliance lacks majority in the electoral college, it will have to rope in a number of non- NDA groups to support its candidate. Yadav and Mayawati could be crucial players in the presidential poll, though the BSP leader has less chance of playing a pivotal role due to her personal angularities.
Once Kalam is adopted by Yadav and Jayalalithaa a groundswell of support could build up for him both within the NDA and the UPA. The BJP- led NDA would only be too happy to endorse his candidature, though for tactical reasons it may not take the lead in sponsoring him.
Although the stage of filing nominations for the presidential poll is still a few weeks away, Pawars statement may have already dampened the chances of a number of ambitious people eyeing the highest office in the land. Maharashtra politician Sushil Kumar Shinde, Lok Sabha Speaker, Meira Kumar, former Home Minister Shivraj Patil, etc., would have reason to feel disheartened. Why, going strictly by Pawars criterion, even Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony could be ruled out. As of now, Kalam seems to be a front- ru
