Pranab Mukherjee is all set to be 13th President of India

[Holmes]

Pranab Mukherjee is all set to be 13th President of India

NEW DELHI: Pranab Mukherjee is all set to be the 13th President of India. Sonia Gandhi announced his candidature on Friday evening after a brief meeting of the UPA. It put an end to the long suspense that marked the rollercoaster race for the nomination of its presidential candidate by the ruling alliance.

Mukherjee is expected to win the contest hands down, with SP and BSP pledging their support and the Left likely to follow suit. They, along with the UPA, account for a majority in the electoral college. The advantage promises to become overwhelming with cracks showing up in the BJP-led NDA over opposition to Mukherjee's candidature.

BJP's ally JD(U) is arguing against a contest by citing the stature of the veteran politician and the need to avoid acrimony over a losing battle. In fact, with former President A P J Abdul Kalam unlikely to enter the fray, the election may become just a formality. The denouement marked a rather satisfactory outcome for the Congress - its leader Sonia Gandhi, in particular, who succeeded in calling TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's bluff. The party was keen to have its nominee installed in Rashtrapati Bhavan but was handicapped by adverse mathematics in the wake of the UP poll debacle and Mamata Banerjee's dogged opposition to the finance minister.

Pranab Mukherjee is all set to be 13th President of India - The Times of India

 

[Shinigami]

there is a saying that goes something like this:

a donkey is better than a pig

 

[Hulk]

think positive we might get a FM who works. his performance has been horrible.

 

[Boson]

there is a saying that goes something like this:

a donkey is better than a pig

The best thing is both donkey (pranab) and pig (mamata) are going to out of the way ... hope finance ministry passes on to someone better than a non-performer (pranab) and the new person is free from this road blocker (mamata).

Still, I have mixed feelings about Chidambaram - he did good during his earlier stint; but lately isn't doing as well.

Jairam Ramesh is another sensible name which is floating around .... but he may not be able to put his foot down on things, as firmly as chidambaram is used to.

Technocrats like C Rangarajan (aged 80!!) or Montel Singh Ahluwalia need a politically strong prime minister which MM Singh isn't. Hence, I don't thing either stands a chance.

Perhaps, Chidambaram remains our best bet .. though one wonders if he will be relieved of the home ministry.

 

[jbond197]

India is great - failed finance ministers are promoted to presidency no where else..

Anyways, presidency has lost the importance after seeing the presidents like pratibha patil and now if Pranab M becomes president then it will be another blot..

 

[KRAIT]

Only reason i prefer Pranab is that there is a chance Manmohan Singh will become Finance Minister then.....

 

[Boson]

Only reason i prefer Pranab is that there is a chance Manmohan Singh will become Finance Minister then.....

But we do need a politically strong + forward looking finance minister .... .since the prime minister is not politically strong.

Luckily, though the best things is that Mamata is cut to size significantly ... so the new finance minister will have a lot more freedom.

My best bet for a person who might succeed is pushing thru GST is : Chidambaram (though, I do note that he failed to push thru NCTC... while in home ministry).

But, chidambaram does have a record to putting his foot down on expense control .... forcing strong financial decisions .. etc.

Remember the drastic changes in the "dream budget" - 1998.

And if it weren't for chidambaram, we wouldn't even have a seen a full fledged VAT ... even today.

So, chidambaram record while in finance ministry is very good .. though his recent things in home ministry (and also his views on Aadhaar) cause some concern.

.. Best thing: Read Mulayam singh's statements ... "We won't allow Mamata to cause unstability at the center, given the serious financial situation." ... They guy saved the Nuclear Deal.

Even it he eats money ... I love him ... he atleast does good for India.

(unlike mamata or left. In hindsight, the Left looks an angel when compared to mamata).

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

It is good, that Pranab Mukherjee is going to be promoted.

You must reward success.

Mukherjee was extremely successful, in deflecting the blame against himself for the poor performance of India's economy.

 

[newdelhinsa]

For last few days the clown was walking fast around his cars and in & out of his office, otherwise he is a functional limp to gain sympathy of public otherwise hating him for leading typical Congress - I gang rape of Indian economy.

 

[Boson]

It is good, that Pranab Mukherjee is going to be promoted.

You must reward success.

Mukherjee was extremely successful, in deflecting the blame against himself for the poor performance of India's economy.

Can you keep to Bo Xilai stuff?

It will help in keeping your stupidity hidden.

 

[The HBS Guy]

think positive we might get a FM who works. his performance has been horrible.

Hold your horses, mate.

 

[Koovie]

so no 2end term for Kalam ?

 

[third eye]

The whole idea is to clear the way for Rahul Gandhi post 2014 Elections. Pranab was the only possible contender for the PM's post. MMS with two tenures would be out of the running and could carry on his inefficiency elsewhere.

Never mind if we get one lollypop after another at Raisina Hill.

I am sorry the Abdul Kalam could not make it , a pity. In fact in all fairness the Vice President Hamid Ansari should have become the President.

 

[Neuro]

Better our bureaucrats can rule our country there is no need of politicians in India. Democracy

 

[Royan]

Better our bureaucrats can rule our country there is no need of politicians in India. Democracy

Then we will have a Hitler moment and sanity will return after our nation has been turned to dust and millions are dead.