Presidential polls: 'Discussions are underway', says Ambika Soni

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Friday said discussions with allies for post of the highest constitutional authority were underway, and added that there should be no room for any speculation over the presidential candidate.

"Congress President has very categorically indicated yesterday in parliament and in the media that she is having the initial discussion with alliance partners in general terms. There is no concretization of anything at the moment. So, I go by what the Congress President has said and I deny nothing to that," said Soni.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who met West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee here on Thursday, said there is still time to decide on the UPA's candidate for President of India.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer and BJP lawmaker Kirti Azad said the ruling Congress Party has not consulted them yet over Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee being a candidate for the presidential post.

"There is no doubt that he (Pranab Mukherjee) is a great politician. He holds lot of experience as well but party will decide on the matter. Till now, we (Bharatiya Janata Party) have not heard any thing from UPA (United Progressive Alliance) that they want to discuss the matter with us," said Azad.

"Nothing is better than the consensus on the matter. If there is consensus on the president, then nothing can be better for the nation. Nobody wants a contest on the issue," he added.

There have been certain rumours that the Congress has been trying to reach out to ally partners to have a consensus on Vice President Hamid Ansari or Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee for the prestigious post.

According to certain media reports, Mukherjee appears to be emerging as a front-runner in the race for the president's post within his party and outside with allies and some others backing him.

Current incumbent Pratibha Devisingh Patil's term ends on July 25 this year. She was sworn-in as the 12th president of India on July 25, 2007.

The president is the constitutional head of the country and also the supreme commander of the armed forces. (ANI)