I have not given up hope on Trinamool Congress: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday declined to disclose who will be Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's successor and whether the United Progressive Alliance government will have new partners.

"I have been churning it in my mind," said Dr Singh when asked whether he has thought of Mukherjee's successor after his nomination as UPA's candidate for the Presidential elections.

The prime minister said that he had a number of issues which he had to be resolve.

"It will not be proper for me to announce (about this issue) while I am outside the country. When the decision is taken, you will get to know about it," he added.

Asked whether there was going to be a Cabinet reshuffle soon and whether new partners will be joining UPA, Dr Singh replied, "I think that is a legitimate expectation. You will get to know about it when it takes place."

Dr Singh said he has still not given up "hope" on key ally Trinamool Congress supporting the candidature of UPA's Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee and expressed confidence that the finance minister will be elected unanimously with the support of the opposition National Democratic Alliance.

"Trinamool is still part of UPA and I have still not given up hope that Trinamool Congress will also find its way to support the candidature of Pranab Mukherjee," the PM told reporters when asked whether he would request Banerjee to reconsider her decision on the issue of supporting Mukherjee's candidature.

Presidential polls are due to be held on July 19.

The West Bengal chief minister, who is also the Trinamool supremo, has been resisting calls to change her party's stand and back the Congress stalwart from Bengal.