Antony meets Karunanidhi to discuss Prez poll

Chennai: Congress leader and Defence Minister AK Antony today met DMK chief M Karunanidhi as part of consultation process among UPA allies on the Presidential election to arrive at a consensus leader to succeed incumbent Pratibha Patil, who is retiring on 25 July. After more than an hour-long meeting, Antony told reporters that he would convey the DMK leader’s views on the issue to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.  "It was a very, very fruitful meeting. I will report to the Congress President whatever he said", he told reporters, refusing to disclose details about his discussion. Observing that Gandhi had asked him to meet the DMK chief to discuss about the “present political situation”, he said “What we discussed, I will convey to the Congress President”. He said Karunanidhi is one of the seniormost leaders in the country and “we always value his advice”. DMK Parliamentary party leader TR Baalu and Karunanidhi’s daughter and party MP Kanimozhi were also present. Antony’s meeting with Karunanidhi comes close on the heels of Agriculture Minister and NCP leader Sharad Pawar’s consultation with the Congress President a few days ago. Pawar was understood to have urged the Congress chief on the need for a consensus on the choice. PTI