Annoyed with Heptulla, Kesri settles for Krishna Kant

Congress president Sitaram Kesri disliked Najma Heptulla because she was close to Sharad Pawar. That is what cleared the way for Krishna Kant to become vice-president.

According to a senior Congress general secretary, Kesri is annoyed at Heptulla's association with Pawar, who had unsuccessfully challenged the Congress chief during the May party presidential election. Kesri has not forgiven that, despite Pawar's meekness thereafter.

So when Front convener Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Friday spoke to Kesri about Krishna Kant being declared the Congress-UF candidate, the Congress president raised no objections. Heptulla had canvassed intensely among various politicians for becoming the vice-president, but Kesri tripped her up, the Congress leader said.

Significantly, unlike Heptulla, Krishna Kant is widely perceived as a former Congressman who has consistently maintained good relations with leaders across the political spectrum. This, along with his reputation as an able administrator, tilted the balance in his favour, it is learnt.

Many former Congress colleagues of Krishna Kant spoke to Kesri, speaking in support of his candidature. The Congress chief told his party colleagues that he knew Krishna Kant's father well and that the Andhra Pradesh governor would make a good vice-president. Thereafter, Krishna Kant's way was clear.

The only stumbling block was Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi who had his reservations about Krishna Kant. He himself supported Surjit Singh Barnala's candidature since Barnala had taken up his government's cause with the Centre the last time his party was in power.

Barnala resigned as Tamil Nadu governor when the DMK government was dismissed in January 1991. But Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party chief, prevailed over Karunanidhi. Thereafter, when Krishna Kant's candidature was announced, Karunanidhi's nephew Murasoli Maran was also present, showing the DMK leader had lent his backing too.

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