UPA nominee Mr Pranab Mukherjee who launched his campaign for Presidential elections from Chennai Yesterday met congress leaders in Hyderabad today. Accompanied by Congress party affairs incharge Mr Gulam Nabi Azad and congress senior leader Mr Vayalar Ravi, Mr Mukerjee attended the Congress Legislature Party meeting at jubilee hall. Speaking on the occasion, Pranab Mukherjee said he considered it as a privilege to contest in presidential elections and recalled that he worked for congress Party since 1978.

He said he is urging all voters in the Electoral College to support his candidature irrespective of party affiliations. Mr Mukherjee added that he will try to visit as many states as possible as part of campaigning. Later, MIM leaders met Pranab Mukherjee and announced their support to his candidature.

Mr. Mukherjee is scheduled to leave for Bangalore this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the scrutiny of nomination papers for Presidential elections will take place tomorrow. 41 nomination papers were filed by the contestants on the last day of nomination yesterday. A total of 106 nomination papers were received by the Returning Officer and Secretary General of Rajya Sabha, V.K. Agnihotri. The last date of withdrawal of nomination is 4th of this month.

The election to the top post in the country is slated for the 19th and the result would be out on the 22nd of this month. The term of the present incumbent Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil ends on July 24.

The electoral college comprises of 4,896 members – 776 Members of Parliament and 4,120 Members of Legislative Assemblies, including those of Delhi and Puducherry. The total value of their votes is 10,98,882 with that of MLAs being 5,49,474 and that of MPs being 5,49,408. Nominated members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state Assemblies are not entitled to vote.