Cong Vice Presidential nominee after July 18

Bogged down in the presidential campaign, the Congress says it would start the process of finalising the names for the vice-presidential poll after the presidential election is over. A senior AICC leader said, "We are not even thinking of that (vice presidential candidate) till July 18."

The election for the vice president's post is being held on August 10. The process for filing of nominations is already on. The last date for filing of nominations is July 23.

The present incumbent B S Shekhawat, who is contesting for the presidential post, is retiring on August 18. However, as is being given to understand, the next Vice President could be from the Left camp. The Left parties are likely to start search for the suitable candidate later this week.

The Communist party of India (CPI), is likely to discuss the issue in its three-day national executive meeting beginning tomorrow. CPI(M) General Secretary D Raja has said that "Informal consultations (on the vice presidential nominee) will be held in the coming days among the Left. We have already proposed that since the presidential nominee is from the Congress party, the vice presidential candidate should belong to a non-Congress party."