17 parties to jointly fight presidential polls

On the third anniversary of the Modi government, Opposition parties met at the Library building of Parliament on Friday and resolved to field a person for the post of President, who “shall steadfastly defend the constitutional values” of the country.

The ruling and principal Opposition parties of two States — Kerala and West Bengal — were present at the meeting. While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who initiated the discussions on the issue, was absent, his party’s national president Sharad Yadav was present.

Thirty-one leaders from 17 Opposition parties met for lunch at the invitation of UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and accused the BJP of not trying to evolve a consensus on the elections to the posts of President and Vice-President.

BJP president Amit Shah, however, said the Opposition parties will be consulted at the appropriate time.

“The normal practice has been that the ruling party takes the initiative to build a consensus on the names of the candidates for these important offices. This has not happened so far. If acceptable, consensual candidates do not emerge, then we (Opposition parties) shall decide to field such persons who shall steadfastly defend the constitutional values of our Republic,” a joint statement by Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and JD(U)’s Sharad Yadav said.

The parties also expressed their resolve to strengthen floor coordination in Parliament to jointly oppose the Centre’s policies “that are imposing unprecedented burden on all sections of our people, farmers, working people, youth, SC/STs, minorities, women and other weaker sections of the society in various parts of the country.”

They also expressed concern over the prevailing grave situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

BSP supremo Mayawati said in the meeting that she is all for Opposition unity. The BJP is creating a false propaganda that she is no more with the Opposition, she added.

Veteran NCP leader Sharad Pawar urged the parties to raise the issues of farmers and oppose the agriculture policies of the Centre.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad urged the parties in Uttar Pradesh to unite in the fight against the BJP. SP leader Ramgopal Yadav agreed with this proposal. Lalu also said the Bihar model of alliance will be the best for checking the BJP’s growth.

Also present at the meeting were Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury, SP’s Akhilesh Yadav and DMK’s Kanimozhi.

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