Lalu meets Sonia to get maximum support for Pranab

As part of efforts to secure maximum support for Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential poll, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday held consultations with Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The United Progressive Alliance candidate will be visiting Ranchi for campaigning on July 12 and the RJD leader has been asked by Gandhi, who is also the alliance chairperson, to be present there at that time, Prasad later said.

Mukherjee, will come to Ranchi from Bhuvaneshwar in Orissa where he will be canvassing support the previous day, he said. Ruling Biju Janata Dal in Orissa is supporting BJP-backed opposition candidate P A Sangma for the top post.

Prasad was present at Parliament House earlier in the day when Mukherjee filed his nomination papers.