Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has started holding consultations with the Left and other political parties about the next President, Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechuri said in New Delhi on Wednesday.
"General secretary Prakash Karat met Prime Minister Dr Singh three days ago and the two held consultations on the issue. The prime minister is also talking with other parties. We want someone who has impeccable secular credentials," he said.
When asked if Somnath Chatterjee would be the Left's candidate, Yechuri said that the party has not yet applied its mind and the issue would be deliberated on after the Uttar Pradesh election result is out.
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat have been keeping a low profile, but their interest for the presidential nomination has been debated upon by the media.
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