New york: New York Mayor and billionaire Michael R Bloomberg might enter next year's US presidential race as an independent upsetting all calculations of the current front-runners on both sides.

So far, Bloomberg has kept everyone guessing over his intentions but media reports have suggested that he would not be dependent on donations as he could easily spend US $ 1 billion on his own if he so decides.

Bloomberg, whose worth has been estimated by Forbes magazine at about US $ 12 billion, had spent around US $ 70 million of his own money on campaign in 2001 when he first successfully ran the office of Mayor and US $ 84 million during re-election in 2005.

Though Bloomberg denies that he would run, his aides are aggressively laying the groundwork for him and constantly assessing his chances.

What has sparked fresh speculation was his joining Democrat and Republicans elder statesmen to pressure major party candidates to renounce partisan gridlock.

The Times also said that Bloomberg had been more candid with friends and associates about his interest in running.

Despite public denials, the mayor has privately suggested several scenarios in which he might be a viable candidate, the paper added. Replying to a question recently, Bloomberg said, "if it's a three-way race, the public has more choice than if it's a two-way race, and has more choice in a two-way race than a one-way race. Why shouldn't you have lots of people running, and what's magical about people who happen to be a member of a party?"

Source : PTI