With the Left deferring its decision on Presidential election, the Cong President met senior party leaders this evening to finetune the election strategy.
NEW DELHI: With the Left parties deferring its decision on Presidential election, Congress President Sonia Gandhi met senior party leaders this evening to finetune the election strategy including finalising the UPA nominee.
Gandhi held consultations with Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony and Ahmed Patel as the Left parties, after a joint meeting, announced they would take a decision after parleys with DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Wednesday.
Karunanidhi's party is the third largest constituent of the ruling UPA while the Left parties give the coalition crucial outside support with some 60 Lok Sabha members.
Karunanidhi is arriving here on a three day visit during which he would discuss the Presidential issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Gandhi.
Gandhi's discussions with her senior colleagues came hours after BSP supremo Mayawati announced her party's support to the UPA nominee, giving a major boost to the ruling alliance.
BSP holds substantial number of votes to tilt the scales in the presidential election.
The three Congress leaders were entrusted with the task of talking to allies in order to evolve a consensus.
Several UPA allies including RJD, LJP and NCP have said it was for the Congress to decide on the nominee, who will be backed by them.
A meeting of the UPA leaders is expected either on June 14 or 15 in which a formal announcement of the alliance nominee was likely.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil continues to be the frontrunner but Congress sources insist there are others in the contention too.
While Gandhi and Mayawati at their talks last night reached unanimity on one name, the BSP supremo refused to divulge the name.
Besides Patil, the names of Mukherjee, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Karan Singh, Arjun Singh and Motilal Vora are doing the rounds for the top post.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}