Regional leader to become next PM: Karat

General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Prakash Karat has said that his party would not be surprised if an "untouchable" politician emerged as the front-runner for the prime ministerial berth after 2009 elections. In the recent vote of confidence, Mayawati has emerged as one of the strongest organizers of opposition to the ruling coalition, and is a strong candidate for the coming general elections.