Karunanidhi , Presidential Candidate? Sonia nods?

Despite denial from Karunanidhi, the DMK Chief there are strong indications that he may be considered for the post of the President of India.

During Karunanidhi’s birth day bash(which had the lowest turn out in the past ten-years), a Central Minister and leading lights of the DMK were reported to have met Karunanidhi and suggested that he be a candidate for the post of presidency and they had feelers from Sonia Gandhi to this effect. Karunanidhi seems to have replied that ‘he knew his height’

However , his son and former Dy.CM of Tamil Nadu,his son Mu.Ka.Stalin is reported to be trying to convince his father Karunanidhi to accept the offer.

Stalin has an ulterior motive .

By making Karunanidhi the president the DMK Char will become vacant and he feels he could occupy it.

Karunanidhi, having become a President would gain in statute and his word to the effect Stalin is to succeed will not invite vigorous opposition from even from Stalin’s bete noir ,his brother Mu.Ka.Azhagiri,Union Minister of Agriculture.

Now that A.Raja of 2G scam has reached Chennai(who is an avowed baiter of Stalin) and started canvassing against Stalin by writing an open letter to Karunanidhi stating that the DMK had no Leader after Karunanidhi, Stalin wants to push Karunanidhi up and sideline Raja as well.

Azhagiri has offered no comments.

Karunanidhi seems to be reconsidering his earlier decision not to consider the Presidency.

Congress has problems of different sorts.

It can not endorse PA.Sangma  knowing his animosity towards Sonia Gandhi and his objection to Sonia becoming the Prime Minister earlier.

Pronab Mukherjee is being considered ony to ensure that he does not become  candidate for the Prime minister’s post.

There have been reports that Pranab Mukherjee tried to cut a deal with the opposition during th parliament stalling period by the opposition.

By kicking him up Sonia wants to ensure that he does not harbour such thoughts again.

Pranab has is not exactly enthused about his becoming the president, wily cat that he is.

The problem in selecting him as a Presidential candidate throws up the problem of finding a new Finance Minister.

P.Chidambaram , though an efficient material, can not be considered as he is facing flak from the opposition.

Manmohan Singh prefers Montek Singh Ahuwalia and the Congress leaders are averse to this idea as he is a bureaucrat  and not a politician.

Jairam Ramesh is girdling up but his abrasive style is against him.

Given the circumstances Sonia seems to prefer Karunanidhi.

But she is worried about his corrupt record and his party in various scams.

Now Stalin has gone to Delhi to meet Sonia on this subject. Normally these sort of communications are handled by TR Baalu or other minions,

Let’s see how this plays out.

”

As the Presidential poll schedule is expected in the next few days, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin on Thursday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and reportedly reiterated the party’s backing for the Congress nominee.

Accompanied by DMK parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu, Mr. Stalin, who is also the son of DMK president M. Karunanidhi, conveyed the message of the latter that there was no second thought or confusion in supporting the Congress candidate for the post.

Mr. Baalu told The Hindu that Mr. Stalin originally came to meet the former Minister A. Raja, who was released from jail recently in the 2G spectrum case, and later paid courtesy calls on the three leaders.

Mr. Stalin’s meeting here with Congress leaders comes even as Mr. Karunanidhi had indicated in Chennai on Wednesday that he was not averse to the idea of supporting the candidature of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for the post of President. He was reacting to Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani‘s stand that Mr. Kalam’s candidature should be supported. The DMK patriarch had said though it was Mr. Veeramani’s opinion, he would not like to contradict him.

Mr. Karunanidhi had further told reporters that the DMK had already explained its stand to Defence Minister A.K. Antony and informed the media about it to an extent.

Earlier on another occasion, Mr. Karunanidhi had reportedly said, while reacting to a question on whether he had any objection to Mr. Pranab Mukherjee becoming the President: “If he is the candidate, the DMK will not hesitate to support his candidature.”

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3500268.ece

inputs : Kumudam Reporter 10 June 2012