TOKYO, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Shares in Toshiba Corp (6502.T) surged on Thursday following a report that a domestic investor-led group was looking at a $19 billion bid in a deal that could lead to foreign activist shareholders being bought out after years of tension. A consortium led by private equity firm Japan Industrial Partners has been given preferred bidder status in the second round of bidding, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterJapan Industrial Partners has contacted multiple Japanese firms, sources have said. Japan Industrial Partners declined to comment. Toshiba and activist shareholders have been at odds over the direction of the company, with several large foreign funds pushing the conglomerate to consider private equity bids.

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