M A I N   N E W S

DMK backs Pranab’s candidature for Presidency
Anita Katyal
Our Political Correspondent

New Delhi, May 5
After the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), it was the turn of the DMK to pitch for Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as the UPA’s presidential candidate.

Reports from Chennai quoted DMK supremo M Karunanidhi, whose party is a key partner in the ruling coalition at the Centre, that he will support Mukherjee if the Congress picks him for the top post.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP has not backed Pranab officially but party insiders have indicated the party’s preference for Pranab over Vice-President Hamid Ansari who is also in contention for the President’s post.

While support for Pranab is growing, the Congress itself is yet to reveal its preference though party sources have said the choice has narrowed down to the Finance Minister and Ansari. Congress president Sonia Gandhi told mediapersons earlier this week that the party was yet to finalise its nominee. “No names. There is still time,” she had asserted.

With the DMK and the NCP on board, the Congress is now awaiting word from its temperamental and demanding partner, Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is yet to spell out her choice.