The CPI-M and the BJP,although poles apart,are speaking the same language,saying the next Prime Minister should be from the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,who the Congress has named as its Prime Ministerial candidate for this general elections,is a member of the Rajya Sabha. CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat,spearheading the Third Front initiative,has said that post-elections the Left parties will back a Lok Sabha member for the post of Prime Minister. The BJP has already made an issue by insisting that the Prime Minister should be from the Lok Sabha and with BJP's candidate for the top post L K Advani even suggesting a Constitutional amendment for the purpose. The saffron party's stand has,however,been dismissed by the Congress citing Supreme Court rulings which make it abundantly clear that there is no bar for a Rajya Sabha member to adorn the top post. The CPI(M)-led Left parties has not been on the best of terms with Singh since they withdrew support to his Government last year on the issue of Indo-US nuclear deal.
