REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), likely the winner of the general elections on April 9, claimed that the running mate for Jokowi would be a surprise, Rieke Diah Pitaloka stated.

"Soon, there will be a surprise. There will be a surprise movement for the people," the party's association chairperson noted at City Hall, after meeting with Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Thursday.

She explained that the party had already shortlisted the list of potential vice presidential candidates for the presidential election on July 9, from five to three, and with regard to the three candidates, an agreement had also been reached.

"I do not know if the surprise would be the announcement of the vice presidential candidate or not. What is important is that there will be a more important movement for the people," she pointed out.

When asked to confirm if PDIP general chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri had decided to name former vice president Jusuf Kalla as the running mate for Jokowi, she declined to answer and advised newsmen to ask about it to secretary general Tjahjo Kumolo.

"Who is the vice president? Please ask Tjahjo Kumolo, the PDIP secretary general," she stressed.

PDIP's presidential candidate Jokowi had earlier stated that the president and vice president meant to be one package to overcome national problems and so no one must consider a vice president as a mere reserve.

"My relations with Jusuf Kalla or Ryamizard Ryacudu have been good until now. The decision making process has not finished yet and so just wait," he explained.

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