THE Congress is learnt to have decided to field its own candidate in the July presidential polls,virtually closing the speculation over a consensus on non-political candidates like A P J Abdul Kalam,and ending chances of aspirants from UPA constituents. The first formal consultations within the UPA on this issue began today with Congress president Sonia Gandhi holding talks with NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Other allies will be consulted from next week. A senior leader is likely to be sent to Chennai to meet DMK chief M Karunanidhi. While the Congress is amenable to the candidature of Vice-President Hamid Ansari on whom it can get the support of allies such as the NCP sources did not rule out the possibility of senior party leaders joining the fray. Ansari seems to be the potential consensus candidate,given that Pranab Mukherjee seems to have the backing of all parties except the Congress, a senior NCP leader told The Indian Express today. Since Mukherjee is generally the partys chief interlocutor with allies,it would be interesting to see if the Congress gives him the same role again on this issue. The Congress is said to be unsure about Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjees stance. Left parties had been instrumental in Ansaris installation as vice-president and that could put Mamata off him. Railway Minister Mukul Roy said today that his party would decide on the candidate after the poll date was announced. While the TMCs opposition to Ansaris candidature may not be a cause of worry in terms of numbers even the Left parties have more votes the UPA leadership may not be inclined to risk the governments stability by provoking Mamata. A senior NCP leader ruled out party leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangmas possible candidature,given that the party had earlier sent feelers to the NDA regrading this. Sangma was a self-proclaimed candidate,he said.
