Modi Govt sets up President election cell for next President of India, President Mukherjee not likely to get second chance

Narendra Modi government has set up an election cell to elect next President of India, the reports said. 

President Pranab Mukherjee is set to complete his term on July 25, 2017 and it seems he will not get a second term in the highest office of the land. If media reports are to believed, PM Modi has already started the process to elect the 14th President of India. 

According to a report in Financial Express, two rooms in Parliament complex were allotted to ‘President Election 2017 Cell’ on January 30.  Room Number 79 on second floor and Room number 108-A on the third floor have been allotted for the purpose, the report said.

Since outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee assumed office on July 25 in 2012, the new President has to be sworn in on July 25 this year. Activities of the President Election Cell are likely to increase after the budget session as it will require to involve state assemblies, which are part of the Electoral College for the President’s election.

Earlier, President’s Secretariat also requested the Urban Development Ministry to look for a suitable accommodation for Mukherjee to stay after retirement from office. The officials of the President’s Secretariat were shown the bungalow on APJ Abdul Kalam Road and they have agreeable to it becoming Mukherjee’s new home after he demits office, the source said. 

Mukherjee had defeated Sangma, who passed away in March this year aged 68, to become the 13th President of India.