'No decision yet on UPA candidate for Prez post'

New Delhi, May 15: The UPA allies and the parties supporting the coalition Government at the Centre from outside will take a collective decision on the possible candidate for the Presidential poll due in July, the Congress said today. It would require a great amount of internal discussion before a collective decision will be taken, Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, adding "the media cannot be a privy to it." Clarifying that there was no question of the decision about the Presidential candidate being taken by one person, Mr Singhvi said no final decision had yet been taken in this regard so far.

Asked whether there would be a contest for the Presidential post, he said in the event of it being the only option, it would happen so. "Why assume such a situation which has not arisen? "he asked and said if a contest became inevitable, then there would be a contest.

First the UPA and its allies would have to take their decision and then the stage for contest or no contest would come, Mr Singhvi said.

Replying to a question about the possibility of the adjournment sine die of the Budget Session of Parliament being pre-poned, Mr Singhvi said the decision would be taken by the appropriate authority of Parliament, but when pressed for a reply he ruled out the possibility.

Stating that no decision had been taken so far about pre-poning the adjournment, he said it would not be for the first time that it would be pre-poned.

Mr Singhvi side-stepped all queries on the developments in the DMK leading to the resignation of Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran, saying it was the internal matter of the UPA partner. Law and order was the State subject and appropriate steps were being taken by the DMK-ruled Government, he said, adding, "We don't comment on the internal affairs of the UPA partner." About Mr Maran's resignation and his replacement, Mr Singhvi said in such a situation, one had to go by the wishes of the UPA partner.

Asked about the possibility of Uttar Pradesh Governor granting permission for prosecution of Chief Minister Mayawati in the Taj Corridor case, the Spokesman said Governor's sanction was awaited.

In reply to a question on Women's Reservation Bill, Mr Singhvi said unless unanimity was reached on the issue, an amendment of the Constitution for the purpose was not possible.

UNI