Writing for rediff.com earlier this week, Sheela Bhatt listed the UPA's presidential nominee's plus points thus: In the political world of New Delhi where mediocrity is becoming the norm, Pranab is respected because he knows contemporary history, he is above petty verbal debates and is a leader who can give very valuable reference to context to help solve current problems. He has done it all and seen it all.

He is more of a nationalist and less of Bengali. He is politically savvy, socialist, wise and stable. On many vital issues he is non-committal, on some issues he is centrist, he can navigate difficult waters and digest success without boasting.

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