Manmohan Singh has not suggested any name for next President: PMO

The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) on Thursday rubbished media reports that Manmohan Singh has recommended the names of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Dr Karan Singh as the possible candidates for the post of President of India.

New Delhi, May 10 : The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Thursday rubbished media reports that Manmohan Singh has recommended the names of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Dr Karan Singh as the possible candidates for the post of President of India.

Media Adviser to the Prime Minister, Sanjaya Baru said in a statement issued here today that news reports mentioning specific names were "speculative and premature"."There have been reports in the media regarding election to the Office of the President. Various political parties are consulting each other in this regard. The Prime Minister has had some preliminary and exploratory discussions on this matter with some political leaders. News reports mentioning specific names are speculative and premature," he said.

Media reports said on Wednesday that the names of Pranab, Shinde and Karan Singh were making the rounds as the Presidential candidate from the Congress party.

Reports said that Manmohan Singh has suggested the name of Pranab Mukherjee for the country top most post, as the latter is one of the senior most Ministers in the Union Cabinet, and is widely accepted by both the Left and other supporting partners of the UPA.

The term of President APJ Abdul Kalam ends in July, and so far, the outgoing President has not shown direct willingness for a second term.

ANI