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Journalism of Courage
There is a move by several allies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance to abolish the post of the deputy prime minister in the new government. The DPM’s post, which popped up three years ago to accomodate senior BJP leader L.K. Advani, will be struck off.
Says a senior leader of the UPA: ‘‘It was an unconstitutional post created to placate the ruffled feathers of an ambitious Advani. It had no constitutional authority nor stamp of office. It will go.’’
Leaders of several UPA allies, who would have clawed for the chair if they had the clout and numbers in this government, gave up hope after the results sealed their fate.
For instance, Samajwadi Party’s Mulayam Singh Yadav was a front-runner for DPM. But to his misfortune, despite his party’s stunning victory, Mulayam had to beat a hasty retreat after the Congress pipped him to the post with its surprise numbers. SP general-secretary Amar Singh said two days ago, ‘‘Mulayam Yadav is not in the race for DPM anymore.’’
The other front-runner for DPM could have been RJD’s Laloo Prasad Yadav but Yadav has consistently maintained ‘‘he does not lust for power and post’’, and that he ‘‘will aspire for the PM’s post one day.’’ Yadav reiterated once again: ‘‘Our effort is to build a strong and stable government now that we have defeated the communal and fascist BJP.’’ The RJD is still to decide about joining the new government led by Manmohan Singh.
Sources close to DMK chief M. Karunanidhi underline the fact that their leader is not interested in any Central post and would prefer a low-profile status in Delhi. ‘‘Karunanidhi is only interested in the state and has never wanted to be a player in Delhi,’’ says a party source.
‘‘He was offered the President’s post by Indira Gandhi but he refused. It was in 1969-70 when both N. Sanjiva Reddy and V.V. Giri contested for the chair and it was with the DMK’s help Indira’s candidate Giri won the election,” the source added.
NCP leader Sharad Pawar is also out of the race.
