Cong hints at second term for Ansari as VP

New Delhi, June 18: Congress appears to be considering giving a second term to Vice-president Hamid Ansari, who narrowly lost out to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in the race for UPA nomination for the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

An indication to that effect came on Sunday, when Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said in a TV interview that the party leadership could continue Ansari as VP. To a question about the possibility of a second term for Ansari as VP, Singh said, "It is not a bad idea. Ansari has conducted himself admirably as a vice-president".

Singh also confirmed that Congress, assured of majority support, does not intend to leave the post of VP for the Opposition in order to ensure Mukherjee's unanimous election as the President. "It looks unlikely because we already have the numbers," he said.

Besides SP and BSP, who have often rescued it from sticky situations, the Congress can also expect to get the Left Front's backing for Ansari in case the leadership decides to retain him. Although the Left, which had sponsored the VP five years ago, was unhappy with the way he handled the debate on Lokpal in the Rajya Sabha in the winter session, they are likely to support his second stint as well.

However, Congress sources are not sure whether Ansari would agree to have another term, something which is sure to be viewed as a consolation trophy for the former diplomat who in the race for the Congress ticket for the Rahstrapati Bhawan appeared to be snapping at Mukherjee's heels until the last lap.

Singh's TV interview was marked by tough talk against Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, although he stressed that the Congress on its own would not want her to leave the ruling coalition and does not favor "throwing her out".

Reflecting Congress's annoyance with Banerjee's defiant opposition to Mukherjee's choice for the Rashtrapati Bhawan, he said there is a "limit" to which one can "bend" as certain eventualities have to be faced if they cannot be avoided. Singh was replying to question as to whether the Congress is ready to bend over backwards to prevent Banerjee's exit from the UPA-II if she chooses to leave the ruling alliance.

In contrast, the Congress leader was all praise for SP boss Mulayam Singh, who had teamed up with Banerjee to block Congress nominees but de-coupled himself in 24 hours to clear the way for Mukherjee's elevation.

Singh called the SP chief as a "pragmatic political person", stoutly rejecting suggestions of a "deal" between the Congress and the SP such as the promise of some relief to Mulayam in CBI cases or a financial package for UP.

Justifying the party's tough response to Banerjee, he said: "All efforts have been made to console her, accept her views, accept her tantrums...beyond a certain limit, the decision is hers...there is a limit to which you can bend to...there are certain eventualities, which if it cannot be avoided have to be faced." He said that it was "very embarrassing" for party chief Sonia Gandhi and PM Manmohan Singh that Trinamool boss not only rejected the names of both UPA nominees but joined hands with the SP and announced three more names, including that of the PM when they "did not have consent of any of the three".

Singh felt that the step taken by the "erratic" Banerjee was "extremely immature" and appealed to her that she should reconsider her decision and respond to the "magnanimity" shown by Mukherjee and support his candidature. To questions on why Banerjee resorted to such an action, Singh said that the Trinamool chief "miscalculated".

"She has been erratic in some way...That is Mamata...nothing is impossible, nothing is unexpected as far as Mamata is concerned" was his refrain to a volley of questions about Banerjee's behaviour.

He also felt that Banerjee continuing to back Kalam is a "mistake" which she should "avoid".

Regarding the challenge before the Congress to find a replacement for Mukherjee as the finance minister and as the Leader of the Lok Sabha, Singh admitted that there could be choppy days for a while as "we do not have many people of his stature and abilities". However, he expressed confidence that the vacuum will be filled as UPA has "no dearth of talent".

Asked about the possibility of a new finance minister from outside the political domain like Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Congress leader said," it is for the PM to decide...the PM has every right to appoint anyone even from outside" as the finance minister.