Pranab calls Buddhadeb to discuss presidential elections

Amidst the flurry of political activities in Delhi over selection of the Presidential nominee, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, whose name has been reported to be Congress' first choice as candidate, today telephoned former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

"Pranab Mukherjee telephoned Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee this morning from Delhi", CPI(M) sources told PTI.

It was, however, not known what transpired between Mukherjee and Bhattacharjee, a senior member of CPI(M) politburo.

The sources said, the issue of the Presidential election might have figured given the political situation when SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee have virtually rejected Congress president Sonia Gandhi's two choices and announced three names instead for the highest Constitutional post. CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat has termed as 'unprecedented' the proposal mooted by Yadav and Banerjee to make Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a candidate for the Presidential poll, saying it showed lack of principles in the UPA coalition.