Sonia consults Left, RJD on presidential probables

NEW DELHI: After Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s talks with CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI supremo AB Bardhan last week, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has begun consultations for shortlisting the UPA nominee for Raisina Hills.

Gandhi on Thursday held separate meetings with Bardhan and railway minister Lalu Prasad. Both leaders declined to divulge the names of candidates the UPA chairperson discussed with them in the meeting. Bardhan said Gandhi will discuss with other Left parties and allies before making up her mind.

Even as the PMO issued a clarification on Thursday denying that the PM suggested the names of external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and former union minister Karan Singh, CPI sources said the names were mentioned but did not want to join issue with the PM.

Blaming the media of going overboard, they said the names were “initial shortlists” and it was premature to discuss or speculate on them now. Meanwhile, media reports said Home minister Shivraj Patil’s name was also broached, but was rejected by the Left.