Mulayam still not sure on presidential candidate

New Delhi, June 14 (ANI): The suspense over presidential candidate continues to mount further as Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has still not fully backed West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee's first choice former president APJ Abdul Kalam for the coveted post.

Mamata Banerjee, who met Mulayam Singh Yadav for the third time in 48 hours earlier this evening, said APJ Abdul Kalam is her first choice for the next President of India.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh is meeting Mulayam at his residence here. According to sources, this appears to be indicate that the Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo has now backtracked from his earlier views.

Mamata Banerjee earlier today defended the names as proposed by her along with Mulayam Singh Yadav, saying it is not a local election and the names recommended are of the stature to become the President of India.

Further warning the Centre, Banerjee said that she has not threatened anyone and does not intend to topple the UPA Government.

Mamata further said that she would not be attending the UPA meeting scheduled on Friday.

Both Mamata and Mulayam had on Wednesday evening announced the names of former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee as their preferred choices for the July 19 presidential poll.

Trinamool Congress, with 19 members in the Lok Sabha, is the largest constituent of UPA after the Congress. On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party, which has 22 members in the Lok Sabha, is an outside supporter of the ruling alliance.

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

With key allies rejecting her choice for president, Gandhi was huddled in meetings with senior leaders and allies to zero in on a consensus candidate. resident Pratibha Devisingh Patil's term ends on July 24. (ANI)