Bernard Drainville pulls out of Parti Qubcois leadership race, supports PKP

An emotional Bernard Drainville has announced his withdrawal from the Parti Qubcois leadership race, throwing his support behind front-runner Pierre Karl Pladeau.

Drainvillewas thought to bethe business mogul'sbiggest challenger in the battle to take over as PQ leader, but told a news conference Wednesdayitwas time to step aside.

The decision meansPladeau further tightens his hold on the race.

"What I'm doing today is for the unity of the party," Drainvillesaid.

"You have to look at the evidence. The vote has crystallized around Pierre Karl."

Drainvillesaid he met withPladeauafter making his decisionand had a "frank, amicable" discussion about what the priorities should be for the next PQ leader, including leaving it up to party members to decide whenanother sovereignty referendum should be held.

TheMNA forMarie-Victorin,wholaunched his own leadership bid last October, is best known as the architect of thePQ'sfailed 2013 secular charter.

He put forward a revised secular charter proposal in January.

In addition to Pladeau, the remaining leadership candidatesare MNAsAlexandreCloutier,MartineOuelletand labour rights activist PierreCr.

Drainville hadrecently beencritical ofPladeau,but opinion polls put him in third place behind the front-runner and the second-placed Cloutier.

Anotherhigh-profile candidate, MNAJean-Franois Lise, withdrew in January. Lisesaid at the time he believes a victory forPladeauis a foregone conclusion.

The PQ leadership vote will be held May 15.