"The office of President is an august office, which should not be brought into the realm of unnecessary speculation. Whenever there is anything to share with you, we will do it," was the refrain of Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari to repeated questions from reporters in this regard.
When told that the allies have already begun naming the candidates and opining on their eligibility for the top job especially Pranab Mukherjee, Tewari said he won't comment on their views as they are independent entities and they must be having their own understanding of any particular issue.
"If at all there is something, we will come out to tell you. Has the formal process to elect the next President of India commenced. Even Congress President Sonia Gandhi has advocated patience," he said.
Meanwhile, sources in the Congress indicated the next President will be a Congress nominee as it has the largest number in the electoral college for President.
However, the party is likely to project the person from the very outset as a UPA candidate and will be naming only after a broad consensus with constituents and parties supporting the coalition emerges.
"Ultimately you pick up, who has the broadest consensus. We are taking cognizance of the views being expressed. The situation keeps evolving," a party leader said.
The Congress refused to come out with a name even as BJP leader Yashwant Sinha in Lok Sabha today applauded the Finance Minister in anticipation of his moving to the "big house" though BJP has not yet taken an official position on Mukherjee's candidature for Presidential poll. (MORE)