Congress chief Sonia Gandhi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday and is understood to have discussed the issue of governors’ appointment. This was followed by a meeting of the Core Committee comprising the prime minister and other senior ministers.

A consensus on the names is yet to be reached, sources said.
The National Security Advisor (NSA) and former Director of Intelligence Bureau, M K Narayanan could be a favourite for one of the vacancies.
Besides Narayanan, other names doing the rounds include former Home minister Shivraj Patil, former HRD minister Arjun Singh and Congress leader Mohsina Kidwai . Former foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon has emerged as the front runner for the post of NSA.

An announcement regarding these appointments is expected before Republic Day.