New Delhi :  Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath has announced the poll schedule for Presidential elections. The elections  will be held on July 19 if it was found necessary,  to elect the 13th President of India who will succeed President Pratibha Patil. The election  notification will be issued on June 16.

The last date for filing nominations will be June 30 and papers will be scrutinized on July 2.The last date for withdrawal of nominations is July 4.Election for Vice-President is expected to be held around the first week of August.

Meanwhile, the Congress is leaving no stone unturned in having a consensus Presidential candidate and Party President Sonia Gandhi is expected to hold talks with Trinamool Congress leader Mamatha Banerjee on the issue today. Sources say if Pranab Mukherjee was chosen he was likely to be a consensus candidate for all parties. However, at the same time if Pranab is chosen, then the Congress may have to face tough times in the absence of a seasoned politician and trouble shooter who will otherwise rush to the praty’s aide at  times of crisis.