http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120616/jsp/frontpage/story_15617838.jsp#.T9yPMBdo35s

Maa Mati Mukherjee Come on, Didi, be a sport and back Dada

SANKARSHAN THAKUR

...THERE AND HERE Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had said 'I am quite happy where I am', and UPA presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee, who had marvelled at the suitability of the Rashtrapati Bhavan lawns for morning walks, in New Delhi. Picture by Rajesh Kumar New Delhi, June 15: Switch happily back to the European Championships, the excitement has expired from the news, if only for now. Pranab Mukherjee has made such a tame thing of breaking news, it can be fairly said he will be the next President of India five weeks before the Election Commission formally announces it. Within minutes of his anointment by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi as presidential candidate this evening, support for the finance minister surged so dramatically in the 4,896-strong electoral college, his would-be adversaries fell away, many driven to question the very worth of a contest with their suddenly dwindled prospects. All save Mamata Banerjee who promised more twists than this contest has already negotiated. "The game isn't over yet," she said, without letting on what game, tomorrow is another day. The cascade was led by Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party (SP), which cleaved effortlessly away from Mamata's angered obduracy against Mukherjee and reconfirmed its well-earned reputation for political trapeze. After a two-day grandstanding with Mamata on A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the SP was quickest to congratulate Mukherjee and extend support. Mulayam's explanation for change in stand was cryptic and profound: "Things develop in politics, they developed." SMILES SAY IT ALL… Sonia Gandhi tries to suppress a smile as applause breaks out seconds after she formally announced the candidature of Pranab Mukherjee at the Prime Minister's house. The shawl was presented by DMK leader TR Baalu to Sonia, Mukherjee and Manmohan Singh. Barring  Mamata, every ally was present. Picture by Rajesh Kumar Then came backing from Mayawati, then from the TRS, then "well-maybe" hints from sections of the Left, and then early intimations that the NDA may resolve not to enter the ring after all. There is no firm word yet on how the NDA will respond for the cheering has already erupted around Mukherjee. But the euphoria in the rejuvenated UPA ranks was tempered by grim reminders of the challenges ahead. Rashtrapati Bhavan may have been wrapped up for another term, but the real seat of power remains besieged by setbacks. To add to the deficits in economic indicators, political defeat resounded for the Congress from the bypoll arenas today, most loudly from Andhra Pradesh. For the moment, though, Congress workers were happy to draw on an episode poorly begun but effectively concluded. Struck by the Mamata-Mulayam dare to Sonia, the leadership acted swiftly and decisively over the past couple of days to scupper bazaar speculation and shore up support for Mukherjee among allies and friendly parties. Sensed of the need to confront the challenge from Mamata, Sonia is believed to have overruled colleagues in fast-tracking Mukherjee's candidacy before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left on an eight-day foreign trip. In the context of today, it could well be said two Bengalis were rendered rather lonely at the anti-climactic end of a day scrambled by arrangements of battle. Mukherjee had scaled up so high he couldn't see a challenger in credible pursuit. Mamata had shot herself into a corner where she could locate neither an ally nor a candidate to back. Kalam was incommunicado following the announcement on Mukherjee's candidacy but it is probably fair to surmise, based on his past statements, that he is averse to entering a contest he could lose. That leaves the self-propelled Purno Sangma in the fray who claims much wider support than he has been pledged from the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Odisha but has little to show for that claim. "It's a no-contest," a Congress leader said, shortly after the UPA unanimously chose Mukherjee at the Prime Minister's 7 Race Course Road offices. "Pranab Mukherjee is a leader of immense experience and public standing and commands respect across party lines. You will see his goodwill count when the votes are counted, if at all it comes to an election." Mukherjee, on his part, could barely contain looking like a groom dressed up for the ride up Raisina Hill. He beamed with early, and perhaps justifiable, assumptions of securing a station he has long and doggedly pursued, towards the end with unconcealed craving; he gave an interview not long ago contemplating morning walks in the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was not presenting his future in terms of "if" he is elected but "when" he is elected. "I will answer all your questions, all of them," he gently motioned to a media gaggle at his 13 Talkatora Road residence. "But I will answer them when the electoral college has elected me and the formalities are over. I am indebted to the love of people across party lines, I seek their indulgence and support over the next few weeks." He was profuse in his gratitude and not averse to resorts to humility and magnanimity. Asked about Mamata's objections to him, he said: "I will be seeking her support, as I am seeking everybody's support, because she is like a sister to me." Asked if it will be tough to replace him in government, especially as finance minister, he responded: "I don't think I am the repository of all knowledge and expertise. There are a number of people (in the government) who can handle and overcome this temporary crisis, the Prime Minister himself is an eminent economist." But concerns that Mukherjee seem to casually cast aside today may actually weigh heavy on the Congress and the UPA leadership in the weeks to come. His imminent departure from government will leave the UPA minus its most experienced and adept political manager at a time when there is a premium on political management. Mukherjee's resignation, due on June 24, will also necessitate a reorganisation of the cabinet. And who knows if Mamata's Trinamul will have created more vacancies to fill in the days to come? But if reconstituting the cabinet — and perhaps the Congress organisation — will be a challenge, it could also offer an opportunity to shake out of paralysis and enter a more decisive mode in the run-up to 2014.