Sharad Pawar likely to meet Sonia Gandhi to discuss the Presidential poll

NEW DELHI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar is likely to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi amid assertions by the UPA ally that there should be a consensus on the name of the next President.

"We want a name with consensus," NCP general secretary D P Tripathi said when asked about NCP's preference for the next President.

Tripathi's comments came on the sidelines of a meeting of the NCP's extended working committee meeting here.

The NCP general secretary, however, maintained that there was no discussion on the name of Presidential candidate's name in today's meeting.

"The President's post is the top post in the country, it is necessary to maintain its dignity," he said.

Sources, meanwhile, said that Pawar could be meeting Gandhi to discuss the Presidential poll anytime today.

The NCP working committee meeting has decided to hold a rally at Jantar Mantar on May 16 to highlight issues surrounding farmers.

Asked why should NCP, which is an ally in the government, go for such agitation course to get its views heard, Tripathi said the rally is a very effective tool in politics to put your views across.

"We will tell them. Government will listen to our views," he said when asked whether the government does not listen to its views.

Tripathi said his party is of the view that the prices of fertilisers, power and diesel should not be increased and favours a rise in the Maximum Support Price for food grains.

He also said that there should not be any ban on the export of agriculture products and agri products should get all facilities for export.