The Presidential Kingmakers

Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, threw the race for the next President wide open by suggesting the names of APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

This has come as a rude shock to the Congress, whose president Sonia Gandhi had proposed Pranab Mukherjee or Hamid Ansari as the ruling party's choices in a meeting with Mamata earlier in the day.

The developments have come as a dramatic twist in the long-drawn search for the next President of India, which is only expected to intensify in the coming days. Here's a look at where the crucial political parties and their leaders stand.

Mamata Banerjee | The Trinamool Congress chief is one of the key allies in the UPA government, but the relationship seems to have soured in recent times, which is perhaps showing in Mamata's opposition to Mukherjee's candidature. Kalam seems to be the most likely choice for the Trinamool as he is expected to get support from others as well.

Mulayam Singh Yadav | Emboldened by its landslide win in the recent Uttar Pradesh elections, the Samajwadi Party is also clearly not happy with the Congress's choices. APJ Abdul Kalam seems to be their preferred choice as he is seen as a neutral candidate and fits the Muslim bill for the SP.

Nitin Gadkari | The BJP would be overjoyed with Wednesday's developments as not only does it minimise the chances of a consensus building on a Congress candidate, but also tilts the balance in the favour of their initial choice -- Kalam.

Sharad Pawar | The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president was initially aligned with the ruling Congress over the selection of India's next President. But the dramatic shift on Wednesday may force Pawar to rethink his options as well.

M Karunanidhi | Another one of the key allies of the UPA, DMK has been somewhat pushed to the sidelines after its recent loss in the Tamil Nadu elections and is unlikely to defect on the issue. Karunanidhi is expected to support Mukherjee, Ansari or any other name that the Congress comes up with.

Mayawati | The BSP chief has been rather quiet these days, but she might just tilt the Congress's way because of the presence of her arch-rival Mulayam Singh in the opposite camp.

Prakash Karat | The Left had an amicable relationship with Mukherjee during its rule in West Bengal and the party is unlikely to mind voting for the senior statesman. Also, the choice would be politically prudent as well, with Mamata already voicing her opposition for the current Finance Minister.