News Desk: The race for Rashtrapati is hotting up with the rejection of Congress candidature by the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. Seems like Mamata-Mulayam meeting posed as a threat to the UPA.


While Congress wants to see Finance Minister Paranab Mukhrejee as the next President of India, Mamata and Mulayam suggested former President APJ Abdul Kalam's name as their first choice for the President.


After meeting with Mulayam on Thursday, Mamata made it clear that Kalam is TMC's choice and all the political parties should back him for the President as he does not belong to any political party or group.


After Mamata rejected Congress' candidature, the party slammed her for not supporting the party's choice as TMC is a key ally of the Congress at Centre.


However, Mulayam's absence during media brief could be suspected. Even few reports suggested that there is a difference of opinion between Mamata and Mulayam. Later, Mamata denied the reports that SP will support Pranab as the next President.


Nothing can be assumed till Congress makes its choice final and NDA proposes its candidature for the race. Meanwhile, Congress President Sonia Gandhi is holding meetings with core group and trying influence Mulayam to gain the support for Pranab.


Kalam is maintaining silence over such development and said right decision will be taken at right time. NDA's key ally JDU, which was earlier opposing Kalam for President, may back Kalam as Nitish Kumar has invited him for lunch. It is assumed that Kalam is the only rival of Pranab in the race as he will get the support of NDA and other regional parties if he gives consent for the polls.


Kalam is probably watching the political development and waiting for consensus from all the parties including UPA.

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