[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Bihar CM suggested the BJP should hold talks with the opposition to reach consensus for electing Mukherjee.

The Congress on Tuesday indicated that it will support a second term for President Pranab Mukherjee after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made such a suggestion.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss the matter of fielding a unified opposition candidate against the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s in the elections to be held in July.

The Bihar CM had suggested the BJP should hold talks with the opposition to reach consensus for electing Mukherjee. A former Union minister under the UPA regime, Mukherjee had made it clear that he would consider the second term only if supported by the government.

But the ruling party is said to be stern on its stand to field its own candidate though no names have emerged yet. Apart from the NDA, YSR Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy has extended support, with which the saffron party needs very little backing to secure 51 per cent of votes to elect the next president.

“Pranab Mukherjee comes from the pedigree of a thought process and an ideology that has been a centre-point of this country from its formation until today, and would be so in the future,” said Congress’ spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

Mamata Banerjee, on her way to meet Sonia, only said, “That is for the ruling party to decide. I will not decide on their behalf… At this stage, I cannot say or comment anything.” Banerjee, who has good relations with Mukherjee, will also vouch for a possible candidate Gopal Krishna Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Congress chief has met various opposition leaders including Nitish Kumar and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury to discuss possible candidates, among them vice-president Hamid Ansari and Gandhi.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The scholar-diplomat had been West Bengal Governor during the Singur agitation

Gopal Krishna Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and former West Bengal governor, is likely to be the Opposition’s consensus candidate in the upcoming presidential election due to be held in July.

His name has popped up in discussions of leaders of opposition and reports said initial talks with Gandhi have also taken place. “Gandhi will be the first and possibly the only choice for Mamata (Banerjee). She had earlier batted for Gandhi as the vice-president candidate,” sources close to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told the Hindustan Times.

Banerjee is to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi next week to spin out plans for the election. She is known to have excellent relations with Gopal Gandhi and will meet the Congress chief on Tuesday.

Trinamool Congress’s votes are important for the opposition to put up a close fight with the BJP. The Left has already proposed Gandhi’s name to the Congress leadership.

Reports say Gopal Gandhi’s name was also raised when CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last week.

An eminent scholar and diplomat, Gopal Gandhi had served as ambassador to South Africa and some other countries. The former IAS officer is the youngest son of Devdas Gandhi, the youngest son of the Mahatma. His mother, Lakshmi, was the daughter of C. Rajagopalachari.

The candidature of Gandhi is yet to be confirmed as Sonia Gandhi is still in talks with various opposition leaders.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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