Tharoor calls on Sonia, Pranab, CPI(M) leaders

New Delhi, Jun 19: UN Under Secretary-General for Communication and Public Information and India's nominee for UN Secretary General Shashi Tharoor today called on Congress President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and leaders of the CPI(M).

Mr Tharoor, who arrived here yesterday, is slated to have a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later this evening.

During an half-an-hour meeting with CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury at the A K Gopalan Bhawan, he is understood to have removed ''certain reservations'' over his suitability for the coveted post.

Mr Tharoor will also call on CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan when the latter is in the town. At present, Mr Bardhan is out of station.

He will meet BJP leaders tomorrow.

Mr Tharoor (50), an internationally renowned author, was named by India as its candidate for the prestigious post, on the grounds that the next UN Secretary General should be from Asia as per the principle of rotation.

UNI