Friday, June 3 2005 08:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Amid indications in Congress that Priya Dutt was the natural choice to inherit her father Sunil Dutt's political legacy, Congress yesterday (Jun 2, 2005) said the leadership has not applied its mind to the issue of nomination for the Mumbai North-West constituency represented by the late Union Minister.

"The leadership is aware of the deep grief among millions of people who believed in the words and deeds of the late Union Minister and does not think that it is the right time to give thought to such a issue. There is no talk in the party about the issue," party general secretary Ambika Soni told reporters in New Delhi.

Asked that Sanjay Nirupam, who lost to Dutt in the previous Lok Sabha poll in the constituency, was an aspirant, she said, "Right now, there is no race as the demise of Dutt has taken place just a few days back."

Meanwhile, Priya Dutt, who had helped her father during his numerous padayatras and political activities, called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday (Jun 1, 2005).

Political Secretary to Congress president Ahmed Patel was also present during the meeting.

Several party leaders at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) as also in Maharashtra believe that Priya would be the natural choice of the leadership whenever a by-poll is held.

Asked whether he would seek Congress nomination for the by-poll, Nirupam, who has joined the party recently, said it was for the Congress president to decide on the matter.