External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday dismissed as 'speculative and tendentious' media reports that suggested he was one of the candidates for Presidential elections.
In a statement issued in New Delhi, he said United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi will announce the name of the Congress candidate after consultations with allies and supporting parties and expressed confidence that her decision will have full support by 'all our allies and partners'.
'In the context of the forthcoming Presidential election, a number of speculative and tendentious stories involving my
name have appeared in the print and electronic media', Mukherjee said.
Recalling his earlier statement of May 18, the senior Congress leader said that he had 'clarified' his position then.
'While I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by some leaders, I reiterate that my role in the party
and government is decided by the Congress leadership', he said.
'There is no room for any further speculation in this matter', he added.
Mukherjee's name is doing the rounds as one of the probable UPA candidates for the President's post.
