The ruling UPA leaders are meeting in New Delhi to finalise the candidate of Vice President Hamid Ansari for the second term. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh met last evening ahead of the crucial meeting by the UPA.

The leaders of ruling combine had indicated during their discussions with various non-UPA leaders that Hamid Ansari is the UPA candidate for the poll. They had discussions with the leaders of these parties for seeking their support in the poll.

DMK chief Karuananidhi said he expects the Congress-led UPA to most likely re-nominate incumbent Hamid Ansari for the Vice Presidential election. He, however, said in Chennai that he had not proposed any names, like he had done for UPA Presidential nominee Pranab Mukerjee.

Opposition NDA leaders are scheduled to meet tomorrow to finalise their strategy. NDA has not yet opened its cards on the issue, though the BJP is in favour of a contest.

Thirteen persons have filed their nominations till last evening. Papers of two of them have been rejected.

The last day for filing of nominations is the 20th of this month, a day after the Presidential poll. Voting is to be held on the 7th of next month.