The Left parties are scheduled to meet in June 21 to take a decision on the July 19 Presidential election.
"We congratulate Pranab Mukherjee for being chosen as the Presidential candidate of UPA. He is a very senior leader of Congress and it is common courtesy to congratulate him for his nomination," party Politburo member Brinda Karat said.
"On the question of supporting his candidature, we will first discuss among ourselves and then with the Left parties before coming to a conclusion," she said when asked whether the Left would support Mukherjee.
Karat also made it clear that "we are not part of the UPA. In fact, we are in opposition. Given the political situation and after weighing all pros and cons, we will take a joint decision with other Left parties".
Asked about Mukherjee speaking with senior CPI(M) leaders like Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Biman Bose, she said Mukherjee or anyone had a right to speak to any Left leader.
