Senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee said Wednesday that he was never in the running for prime ministership and pledged his full support to prime minister-designate Manmohan Singh.

"I was never a contender. I have never aspired for any office...," Mukherjee told NDTV, nevertheless adding that he had considerable experience as a minister and parliamentarian.

Asked if he hoped to be prime minister one day, Mukherjee said he did not believe in hoping, but said he would give full backing to Manmohan Singh.

The former Union finance minister declined to comment on whether he would be part of the Cabinet.

"It is too premature to say... Every prime minister has a prerogative to choose his team. Therefore, I would not like to make any comment right now," he said.