People's Democracy

Left For A Secular, Political President

THE Left parties – CPI(M), CPI, Forward Bloc and RSP – have set out two basic criteria for presidential candidate: one, the person must be someone with vast political background and experience and two, the person must have proven secular credentials.

Addressing the media after the meeting of Left parties at AKG Bhavan, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said discussions have been held with Congress, RJD, DMK, NCP and some other parties both within the UPA and outside. Announcing that common ground has been made in these discussions, Karat hoped that a name would be finalised in the coming few days.

Elaborating on the criteria being set by the Left parties, Karat said it is essential that the candidate must possess knowledge of the functioning of our political system, a deep understanding of the relations between various organs of the State like judiciary, executive and legislature. In the present situation the nominee must be someone who is well conversant with these issues. He said the Left parties have always been clear, particularly after 1992, that the occupant of Rashtrapathi Bhavan must have proven secular credentials who can uphold the secular principles of our Constitution.

Karat said that there has been no discussion on vice presidential candidate.

Responding to questions Karat clarified that the Left as a bloc was not proposing a candidate for the presidential elections. Asked for his reaction on certain names, he declined to comment saying that discussions are being held with various parties.

PENSION MOVE OPPOSED

The Left parties asked the prime minister to put on hold the notice issued by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to allow entry to foreign and private firms to manage pension funds. Karat termed this move as a backdoor entry of foreign players and announced that the Left parties would be shortly writing to the prime minister stating their objections. Manmohan Singh government.

He said even when discussions were on with the government about how to revamp the entire pension scheme – brought in by the former National Democratic Alliance government – this move by PFRDA was unacceptable. “We have serious objections to this," he said. The PFRDA had issued notification asking private firms to submit applications as pension fund managers.

CPI general secretary A B Bardhan and secretary D Raja, Forward Bloc general secretary Debabrata Biswas and secretary Devrajan, and RSP leader Abani Roy were also present in the press conference.