Congress undecided, pranab all smiles

After UPA constituents DMK, NCP and TMC made it clear that they have no objection to his candidature, it was the BJP’s turn to acknowledge Mukherjee’s front runner status. Union finance

minister Pranab Mukherjee may maintain that he is in the dark about talks of his being being the presidential nominee of the UPA, but he is all smiles when there is a reference to his

prospects as the next tenant of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. After UPA constituents DMK, NCP and TMC  made it clear that they have no objection to his candidature, it was the BJP’s turn to

acknowledge Mukherjee’s front runner status. During a discussion on the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha, former finance minister Yashwant Sinha started his speech with a reference to Pranab.

“I want to begin with an apology that if the present finance minister goes to the Big House (Rashtrapati Bhawan), then he would not have any hard feelings towards what I am going to say now.

But whenever such a chance comes for me he would not reject me outrightly,” Sinha said. The glee was obvious on Pranab’s face who laughed aloud in acknowledgement. When Sinha said, “If this

government stays on to get another budget passed next year,” a member remarked, “This minister will certainly not be there to get the budget passed next year.” Sinha immediately repeated

the lines and said, “This minister will not bring the budget.” These tell-tale signs are being seen in political circles as an attempt to present the Congress with a fait accompli as far as

Mukherjee’s candidature is concerned. The Congress, however, remains unmoved on the issue. “It is too early to name names. The process of consultations is on, and we shall make an

announcement only when the name is finalised,” said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.