Shekhawat emerges presidential 'favourite'

With exactly one year to go for the election of the President of India, there is one contender for the office whether he wants it or not: Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

In an unusual move, as soon as the House met, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Pachouri complimented Shekhawat for completing four years in office and heaped praise on him for his leadership qualities.

Coming as it did days after the beating Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee took from the Opposition for his conduct as Speaker, the event must have been as much a surprise for Shekhawat as it was for his party, the BJP.

It was hardly unusual for the BJP to praise his qualities as a leader. Sushma Swaraj (BJP) said he had conducted himself in a dignified manner as the chairman of the Upper House.

But it was Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party (SP) who let the cat out of the bag. Though strongly opposed to the BJP on almost all issues, Bachchan expressed the hope on her party's behalf that he would be elevated to the post of President on completion of his term.

Amar Singh (SP) said Shekhawat was fair and impartial in his approach and was running the House as if it were his family while PG Narayanan (AIADMK) said he was probably the only chairman who had also been the chief minister of a state.

Even Sitaram Yechuri (CPM) said, "Your conduct is above board on all occasions." More than 25 MPs expressed their, appreciation for Shekhawat's fair-mindedness.

In an emotional response, Shekhawat said but for the love, affection and cooperation of members, he would not have been able to run the House smoothly. In a lighter vein, he said the decision to lavish praise on him was perhaps a ruse intended to skip the Question Hour.

Is this a portent of Shekhawat's elevation? Hard to say. He is a former chief minister of a BJP-ruled state, so it is unlikely that the Congress will be able to bring itself to support him. While being in favour of Shekhawat personally for his qualities of reconciling differences, there may be differences between the Left-Congress coalition and the BJP on grounds of ideology.

Shekhawat said he had always tried to conduct proceedings in a fair manner. He said he used to pacify agitated members in his chamber if he could not do so in the House. He said Opposition parties could have differing views but there was no enmity between them.

Shekhawat said since he was the oldest in the House at the age of 83, perhaps members considered the age factor while cooperating with him. The Chairman said he had come with very little experience of running the House when he was given the responsibility of running Rajya Sabha. He said he was not aware that he had completed four years as Rajya Sabha chairman when he came to Parliament today.

Farooq Abdullah (NC) complimented the chairman for his balanced approach while PC Alexander (IND) said Shekhawat had no enemies on any side and the House looked up to him as a father figure.

BJ Panda (BJD) said Shekhawat upheld and enhanced the prestige of the office. Tariq Anwar (NCP) was of the opinion that he enjoyed the confidence of the entire House.

MS Gill (Cong), speaking in Punjabi, said Shekhawat gave everyone his due. Bimal Jalan (Nominated) said he admired Shekhawat's sense of humour.