Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday stopped short of snubbing the BJP for “unilaterally nominating” Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind as the Presidential candidate “without consulting the Opposition,” and said she had “never heard of someone called Ram Nath Kovind before the BJP declared his name.”
Mamata, who has no love lost for the Narendra Modi Government, told reporters that “President is the most important part of our Constitution. He is the custodian of the Constitution and the First citizen of India. How can one take unilateral decision about nominating a person for that important postIJ”
Reiterating that her party was not consulted, she said “I have never heard of this name. Only after the name was declared by the BJP I could know of him. There are so many Governors in the country and many of them are not known figures. Mr Kovind may have come from a particular section of the society. He may have certain qualities but there are many other prominent and experienced names like Sushma Swaraj, lK Advani or Pranab Mukherjee who could have been considered for the post.”
It was all for “political purpose” she said adding the Bihar Governor was being rewarded for being a BJP member. “If such is the case then I can also nominate a Trinamool Congress man for the post. But that will be irresponsible,” she said reminding “a Presidential candidate must be very efficient, knowledgeable and experienced. You cannot give it to anyone of your choice for the sake of playing politics.”
On whether she would hold talks with the BJP on the issue she said, “I cannot talk about it right now because they have not discussed it withus before announcing the name. There is a difference between imposing a name and discussing on a name.”
Banerjee, who on Sunday left for Netherlands on a UN programme, said the Presidential issue would only be finalized after a meeting of Opposition parties slated on June 22.
In an unrelated development the CM also appealed to the people of Darjeeling to maintain peace and shun the path of violence. Refusing to spread out the dialogue table for the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha “until they withdraw the indefinite bandh and shun violence” Banerjee said “There can be no talks with people who indulge in damaging of Government properties and bloodshed.” adding she would “not allow a second partition of Bengal at any cost.”