Click to play videoNew Delhi: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the Congress’ leading contender for the President’s post, is out of the race.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has given Mukherjee the task of negotiating with UPA’s allies to select a nominee for the President’s post and Home Minister Shivraj Patil is now emerging as the clear frontrunner.
Most UPA allies seem to be giving the thumbs up to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's choice for the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Pranab Mukherjee had a round of meetings with RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Lok Janshakti Party chief, Ram Vilas Paswan, and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss late on Thursday. He will meet other allies on Friday.
While DMK supremo M Karunanidhi has made open his support for Sonia's choice for President, the Congress needs to do more to gain the full support of BSP President Mayawati and the Left parties.
Sources have told CNN-IBN that Sonia Gandhi told Mukherjee he was indispensable to the Government.
Mukherjee has vast experience as a minister and parliamentarian and heads more than 40 groups of ministers.
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