Mayawati to discuss Presidential election with PM tomorrow

New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati arrived here this evening for a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during which the Presidential election issue will most certainly come up.

The meeting assumes significance because the Congress-led UPA coalition will be keen to know the stance of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) that can have a crucial bearing on the Presidential election.

This is her second visit to the national capital within a fortnight after assuming office.

''Developmental issues relating to the state and the Presidential election will come up for discussions at the meeting tomorrow,'' official sources said.

Dr Singh is to return home late tonight from Germany where he had gone to attend the summit meeting of G-8 and five outreach partners, including India.

The BSP chief, immediately after proceedings against her in the Taj Heritage Corridor (THC) case were dropped on June 5, had told a press conference that she would announce the name of the Presidential candidate, her party would support, in New Delhi in the coming days.

Earlier on May 25, Ms Mayawati had visited the national capital during which she held meetings with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Dr Singh.

The Chief Minister had then discussed the Presidential election issue with the two leaders. She, however, refused to divulge any details of it, merely stating that she would ''open her card later''.

Ms Mayawati also said she would take a decision only after holding wide-ranging meetings with party executive members and other leaders.

''The issue is very important and it merits serious and careful consideration...I will open my card later,'' she pointed out.

The BSP, which secured over 200 assembly seats in the recent elections in the state, can play a crucial role in the next month's presidential election.

UNI