Many for PM's post in coming Lok Sabha polls

A plethora of prime ministerial candidates is expected to be a dominant feature in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

For the first time in Independent India, there are leaders galore who are being projected, directly or indirectly, or throwing their hat in the ring for the country's top executive job.
    
They range from 86-year old Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to 38-year-old Rahul Gandhi.
    
Those seeking the high office or nurturing dreams for occupying 7, Race Course Road are a mix of the young and the old and not so old as also those who are experienced and not so experienced.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh, who underwent cardiac bypass surgery on Saturday, has often skirted the issue while Leader of the Opposition L K Advani has been named the NDA's PM candidate long back.
    
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who heads the ruling UPA alliance, has made the choice known by saying that the 76-year-old Manmohan Singh would "certainly" unfurl the national tricolour on the Independence day after the polls.
    
Former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has created a flutter in the opposition BJP by giving ample signals that he was not averse to take a shot at the top post, by announcing that he has plans to contest the Lok Sabha polls, if health permitted.

Rahul Gandhi is being hailed as future leader and potential prime minister by the Congress with the AICC saying that it was upto the party general secretary to decide the timing for getting the top job.