With the ruling UPA constituents unwilling to reveal their cards on the presidential election until the Congress decides its nominee for the top post, the Congress itself made clear it was ready for both, consensus and contest, in the presidential elections scheduled for July.
Responding to questions, Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury said the party would talk to
all political parties, including the main Opposition BJP.
“No one is afraid of any contest. We hope to have a consensus,” Ms Chowdhury told reporters adding, “We never said we will not talk to them, we will definitely talk to the BJP.”
The Congress, which has undertaken a consultation exercise to learn the minds of its allies and supporting parties began talks with more key allies, Trinamul Congress, National Conference, Rashtriya Lok Dal, JVM(P) and Muslim League Kerala State Committee.
“We have already talked to the DMK, the NCP and some one-member parties in this regard,” party sources said.
In Kolkata, Ms Mamata Banerjee indicated that she was undecided on the choice of candidate for the presidential poll. “Before I decide, I will meet everyone because I was a member of Parliament for 25 years”, she said.