UPA steps up efforts on Presidential nominee as TN CM arrives

New Delhi, June 13 (UNI) The ruling UPA's efforts to build a consensus on its Presidential nominee gathered pace this evening with the arrival of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi.

Without wasting time, Mr Karunanidhi went straight from the airport to 7 Race Course road, the official residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and had talks on the options of the UPA-Left to contest the July 19 Presidential election.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi was also present at the meeting.

On his arrival at the airport, Mr Karunanidhi told reporters the UPA-Left candidate would be decided within two days.

Tomorrow, the DMK chief is slated to hold meetings with General Secretaries Prakash Karat of the CPI(M) and A B Bardhan of the CPI, besides leaders of UPA allies.

This is the second time within a fortnight the Tamil leader is in the capital in connection with the Presidential election.

Mr Karunanidhi had planned to reach here last evening, but deferred his visit by a day due to some swelling in his legs for which he was treated at a hospital in Chennai this morning.

UNI