New Delhi: Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, under fire for his handling of the faltering economy, is to step down after being named on Friday as the ruling coalition’s candidate for president.
According to Indian media reports, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, led by Mukherjee’s Congress Party, announced that the 77-year-old would be its nominee for the largely ceremonial post, which falls vacant in July.
The choice of who will succeed the incumbent president, Pratibha Patil, has exposed fresh cracks in the increasingly fractured coalition, with its partners clashing over which candidate to put forward.
“The UPA appeals to all political parties and all members of parliament and members of state legislative assemblies to support the candidature of Pranab Mukherjee,” Congress Party supremo Sonia Gandhi said in a statement.
The nomination means Mukherjee, a political troubleshooter whose popularity cuts across party lines, will have to resign as finance minister, with television reports suggesting he might do so on June 24.
Although the president is India’s titular head of state, real executive power resides with the prime minister and the cabinet.
Indian presidents are selected by an electoral college comprising MPs from both houses of parliament and state legislatures. The election will be held on July 19.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription