CWC authorises Sonia to choose Prez, VP nominees

The Congress Working Committee on Monday authorised party President Sonia Gandhi to decide on the candidates for the coming Presidential and Vice Presidential elections.

The resolution, authorising her, was interestingly moved by Finance Minister and senior leader Pranab Mukherjee, who is himself considered the front runner in the race for the President's post.

The resolution was adopted at the day-long meeting of the CWC, chaired by Gandhi, unanimously, party sources said. Major political formations like the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance and the National Democratic Alliance are yet to announce their strategy for the next month's Presidential election, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Biju Janata Dal have declared former Speaker P A Sangma as their candidate.