Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa took an evasive stand on the upcoming Presidential election, when she was asked whether she would support Congress's leader and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, who was in New Delhi to attend Chief Ministers meeting on proposed anti-terrorism body National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) on Saturday, said that no party had approached her seeking her support in the Presidential poll.
Talking to the reporters, Jayalalithaa said, "no one has approached us yet." However, she didn't make it clear if she would support Pranab.
Meanwhile, DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has articulated his support to Pranab's candidature. This comes as a boost to the Congress's campaign in the Presidential election.
"In case Pranab Mukherjee is the candidate of the UPA coalition then the DMK has no issues in supporting his candidature," Karunanidhi told reporters.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also virtually voiced her support to the Congress's favourite, which brightens the hope of the national party in getting its way with its choice for the top post.
The Congress leaders have been engaging a series of meeting with its allies and friendly parties to garner supports for putting their favourite on the President's chair.
"President's election is in July and we still have. Meanwhile, we are open to all options," Mamata told reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh early this week.
When further probed about if she would support Pranab's candidature, Mamata quipped saying that she would recommend herself for the President's post.
Defence Minister AK Antony met Karunanidhi in April and earned his support for Congress's candidate.
The Congress has been campaigning for Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Pranab for the top post. However, at present, Pranab is touted as the strong frontrunner in the Congress for the President.
Early this week Mamata, who was in New Delhi to reiterate her demand with the Central government on granting a debt relief scheme for the cash-strapped West Bengal, had a word with both the Prime Minister and Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the UPA's candidate.
Since the Congress lacks the required number, it could not fight the Presidential poll all by itself. The DMK, Trinamool Congress and the NCP, main allies in the UPA government, hold a key to the outcome of Presidential election.
On the other hand, the main opposition has also made relentless efforts to ensure a non-Congress candidate gets the President's job this time.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said that the BJP would not support any Congressman, including senior minister Pranab. "We will not accept any Congress candidate, including Pranab Mukherjee, for the president's post." Sushma Swaraj said in Lok Sabha.
However, many other parties haven't yet expressed their views on the Presidential candidate.
