Sehgal files papers sans fanfare

Unlike her main rival, she is contesting on a shoe-string budget. The four Left parties have shared the security deposit money of Rs 15,000 among themselves and for the campaign she will be travelling along with a Left MP, availing of the free companion ticket.

While the Left only put in the security deposit for one set of nomination papers which is what is required, for Kalam, the Congress had shelled out an extra Rs 15,000 only to underline the fact that he is their candidate too.

In Ahmedabad, from where the 87-year-old INA freedom fighter begins her countrywide tour, she would be staying with her sister, eminent dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai, to cut expenses. Little wonder that Sehgal cannot match the pomp and splendour that is being laid out for Kalam.

‘‘She is going to Ahmedabad not to campaign for the (presidential) election, but to express her sympathies with the victims of state-sponsored riots,’’ CPI-M parliamentary leader Somnath Chatterjee said.

The Left, which has got completely isolated on the issue of not supporting the NDA candidate Kalam, is planning Sehgal’s campaign to the minutest details to get maximum millage out of it.

The RSP MP, Abani Roy, who be will accompanying Seghal and her daughter and CPI-M politburo member Subhashini Ali to Ahmedabad said: ‘‘She will addressing the people and the media on her own. We will not figure in the campaign, but the issues will. She will take up the NDA’s Government subversive policies, unemployment, economic mismanagement and finally the communal tensions being created by the BJP to divide the polity.’’