The Present Speaker... and the next President in making?

(The nuclear deal has finally got approved today in the Senate of US, on the eve of Gandhi Jayanthi. After so many twists and turns it created in Indian politics, it hardly created any ripples in the other side of the Globe. One of the key event which took place here was the Somnath's 'betrayal' to the Communists. Though confidence motion in the Parliament though didnt sideline this issue much in the news papers, probably we havent keenly draw enough deductions.)

Somnath Chatterjee, studied in Presidency College and Cambridge University, was elected to Lok sabha for 10 times, consecutively, except once when he has lost to Mamata Benerjee. The 80 year old, 14th speaker of India, was in CPI(M) for fourty years, until the recent expulsion from the party, since he was unwilling to follow the party-line.

On July 24th 2008, CPI(M)'s Politburo has stated in its press-release that, " The Politburo of the Communist Party of India-Marxist has unanimously decided to expel Somnath Chatterjee from the membership of the party with immediate effect. This action has been taken under Article XIX, clause 13 of the Party Constitution for seriously compromising the position of the party". Though, Mr.Chatterjee has said that the expulsion is one of the 'saddest' part of his life. But, I am afraid it might not be so, as long as UPA makes a comeback in the General election 2009. Yes, I think he might be a propective candidate for the highest post as per our Constitution.

Mr.Somnath Chatterjee has supported UPA at a crucial juncture. Though, it might seen as a 'yet another rebellion MP', but its implications are deeper. He has opposed the very idea of what Indian communists apparently stood for. He has supported a Nuclear deal of India with Capitalist US under George W.Bush. This might be just an anomalous step for us, but its a 'revolt' for the Communists. The relations with his party has been strained from the past ten years, ever since Mr.Jyothi Basu has left the pro-active politics. His influence in party has come to decline with the Prakash Karat as the Central Politburo secretary and subsequently Buddhadeb as the Chiefminister of WB. Thus, he seems to choose the position of Speaker and opposing to what his political alma-mater has believed it, to his party, where he has been experiencing tumult in the Politburo over the past few years.

Now, here comes some speculation, as my title says. I think there is a good chance of Mr.Chatterjee of being the next President of India, atleast the candidate proposed by Congress (or UPA) for the next Presidential Election. The following are the reasons which have led me to this conclusion:

1. Mr.Somnath Chatterjee has always been a 'pleasant' Speaker for the UPA, and especially Congress. ehas not made fuss out of any issues, which demanded some serious attention.

2. He seemed to voice in resonance with the interests of Congress party. He was against POTA and the stringent anti-terrorist laws. He was supportive in the times of crucial confidence motion and nuclear deal. He sounded pro-Congress on Jharkhand issue, commenting on SC.

3. If he stands for the Presidential election, there is a high probability that CPI(M) supports him, despite of the expulsion, because they would'nt support the candidate by BJP for obvious reasons. The same sentiment which made Shiv sena vote Pratibha and Akali Dal vote Manmohan might repeat.

4. Well, he has all the qualities which Congress needs in a President. Atleast after seeing Pratibha Patil being the Hon.ble President of India, he seems to meet all the requirements as per Congress's highest command.

Ofcourse all this depends on given the condition that present parameters wont get disturbed much.