CPI (M) not bound to support Congress presidential candidate: Karat

New Delhi, June 11 (ANI): CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat on Monday made it clear that his political outfit was not bound to support the candidate, whose name would be suggested by the ruling Congress Party for the presidential post.

"We are not bound, we are not part of the alliance of the Congress Party and the UPA that we have to support anybody they suggest," said Karat.

"Politically, we will take a decision after the name comes. The Left parties will meet, we will consult with some of the non-Congress secular parties and then we will take a decision," he added.

When asked whether his party would support a Bengali, in an apparent reference to Pranab Mukherjee, Karat said, "We will take a decision after the name comes."

The ruling Congress Party and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier today made it absolutely clear that they would come up with a suitable name following due consultations and at an appropriate time.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said the consultation process over the name of the presidential candidate is on.

The BJP, however, said it would comment on the issue only after the ruling Congress Party announces its presidential candidate.

"The BJP's stated position is that let the name of the candidates should come from the Congress Party. Thereafter, the BJP will come up with its views and talk," said BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.

A fresh round of consultations on the issue of selection of a presidential nominee has begun in the UPA, after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) authorised Sonia Gandhi to decide on the candidates for the coming presidential and vice presidential elections.

According to reports, the resolution, authorising her, was moved by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is believed by many to be the front-runner among those vying to be the next President of the country.

The dilemma over the nomination of president continues with political parties remaining divided over a suitable candidate's name.

Moreover, Mamata Banerjee has so far kept the Congress guessing about whether she will support the party in its choice of candidate for the Presidential election

There have been reports that the Congress is reaching out to allies to arrive at a consensus on Vice President Hamid Ansari or Pranab Mukherjee for the coveted post.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil's term ends on July 25 this year. (ANI)