The Prime Minister's Office on Thursday termed as 'speculative' and 'premature' news reports that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has floated specific names for the President's post.

"The prime minister has had some preliminary and exploratory discussions on this matter with some political leaders. News reports mentioning specific names are speculative and premature," PM's media adviser Sanjaya Baru clarified.

He said various political parties were consulting each other in this regard.

The PMO clarification comes after reports that the names of senior Congress leaders Pranab Mukherjee, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Karan Singh are doing rounds in political circles as possible candidates for the next President.

Dr Singh held consultations with Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat and is believed to have talked to some other Left leaders while United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi is expected to hold parleys in the coming days.

The race for the top post is expected to warm up after Friday's results of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, making known the composition in the 403-member House that has a sizeable vote share in the college that elects the President.

The CPI-M has made it known that it would be ideal to have a consensual secular candidate for the top post.

The Opposition National Democratic Alliance is also keeping cards close to its chest amid hints that incumbent A P J Abdul Kalam was their hot favourite if he is ready to contest.

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, a former top BJP leader, has also given hints that he was an aspirant of Raisina Hill and could fight for it as he has 'friends' in all parties.

There is media speculation that Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee is also in the race.