The speculation, the lobbying, the self-promotion by candidates like Sangma and inane statements from politicians ( wait and watch, says Pranab Mukherjee; Hamid Ansari lacks stature, said Sushma Swaraj; Meira Kumar is acceptable, says Mamata) make one wonder whether political parties are really equipped to handle the Presidential election. It seems too much to expect a working relationship between the government and the opposition required to evolve a consensus even on this largely ceremonial office. The two sides are far more keen to score brownie points against each other, to embarrass the other, if possible, and to get its own nominee elected, quietly if possible , failing which neither side is averse to strike alliances of convenience.