'No one can become Prez without party backing'

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said no one can become the President unless his party backs him up. "It is decided by the party. The party nominates." HT Correspondents report.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said no one can become the President unless his party backs him up.

"It is decided by the party. The party nominates."

When asked at his Kolkata residence on Saturday whether he is going to be the next President, Mukherjee said, "The Congress party and the UPA have entrusted UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi with the task of choosing the candidate."

On Friday, UPA sources said Gandhi was likely to make the announcement around June 15, probably a couple of days after the expected poll notification by the Election Commission.

Gandhi’s political advisor Ahmed Patel also had a meeting with Mukherjee on Friday.

But on Saturday, the Congress issued a curious statement that no name had so far been finalised. "The process of discussions with our allies and supporting allies is on. No name has so far been finalised."

The Congress has reportedly secured the support of the key allies such as the DMK, NCP and RLD, and outside supporters like the SP. Also, the BSP, another outside supporter, and the Trinamool Congress are not expected to oppose the UPA candidate.