Prez poll: Some names were discussed, says Karunanidhi

Chennai, Apr 30: DMK President M Karunanidhi, whose party is a key

constituent, today said some names were discussed during his talks with Defence Minister A K Antony on the candidate for the Presidential election, but declined to divulge details.

"We expect a good President. Antony proposed (some names) and so did I. But we cannot tell you the details," he told reporters here a day after the senior Congress leader met him here and held hour-long talks.

Karunanidhi initially declined to talk about yesterday's deliberations and merely said he discussed with Antony the coming Presidential poll.

"I cannot say what transpired." However, when reporters persisted, he said they discussed some names. Antony, whose visit was part of the consultation process among UPA allies on the Presidential election to arrive at a consensus leader to succeed incumbent Pratibha Patil, had described the meeting as 'fruitful'.

But he had also refused to share any details saying he would report to Congress President Sonia Gandhi whatever Karunanidhi told him.

PTI