Presidential election: Antony meets Karunanidhi

Meenakshi Mahadevan CNN-IBN | 29-Apr 11:26 AM

Chennai: Defence Minister on Sunday met DMK Chief M Karunanidhi as part of consultation process among UPA allies on the Presidential election to arrive at a consensus leader to succeed incumbent Pratibha Patil, who is retiring on July 25.

After more than an hour-long meeting, Antony told reporters that he would convey the DMK leader's views on the issue to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

After meeting Karunanidhi, Antony said, "I met the DMK President. It was a very truthful discussion. We always value his advise. I can't reveal anything to media right now. I will convey the message only to the Congress President."

DMK Parliamentary party leader T R Baalu and Karunanidhi's daughter and party MP Kanimozhi were also present.

Earlier, Congress President Sonia Gandhi had held discussions with Sharad Pawar on the issue.

Sonia will also be meeting Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Minister Mamata Banerjee on May 4 to discuss the election.

On Saturday, former President APJ Abdul Kalam did not rule out the possibility of being in the race.

Vice President Hamid Ansari and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee are among the names doing the rounds in the ruling party circles for the top post.

Talks with parties outside UPA would be held after completion of the consultations in the ruling alliance, the sources said.

Gandhi, as also Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is expected to have interaction with Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati.

UPA as well as NDA leaders admit that support of Mulayam, Mamata and Mayawati could be crucial for the Presidential election.

With Additional Inputs from PTI

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