Prez poll: Cong trying to build consensus, says Jaiswal

Kanpur, May 5: The

is making efforts to arrive at a consensus on the

candidate for the upcoming Presidential election, Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said here today.

"No name has yet been finalised. The Congress party is following a policy of arriving at the decision through widest possible consensus," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. "UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is in consultation with parties and leaders and efforts are on to build a consensus," the Coal Minister said.

Asked whether Pranab Mukherjee would be the UPA's choice, he said "each day media is raising a new name. The UPA has not taken any decision on its nominee."

On West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly pressurising the Centre for a special economic package for the state, Jaiswal said he had no information on the matter.

To a question, he said "we are optimistic on forming a consensus on the issue of National Counter Terrorism Centre."

PTI