| Consensus grows for Pranab as NDA allies signal support |
NEW DELHI Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee appears to be set for Rashtrapati Bhavan as consensus was growing in sections of the NDA that, considering his political stature and popularity, he should get cross-party support.
Although, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is yet to make up its mind on supporting Pranab, hints of support for him came from its key alliance Janata Dal-United (JDU) and to some extent by the Shrimoni Akali Dal (SAD). Pranab indicated he was not averse to seeking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s support in his presidential bid.
“Yesterday I gave my reaction that I will seek support of all concerned”, Mukherjee told reporters on the sidelines of an Assocham event when asked if he will try to enlist support of Mamata.
Refusing to tow the official UPA line, Mamata took to Internet social network site Facebook to seek support for APJ Abdul Kalam, describing him as a proud and distinguished son of India who continues to inspire all Indians.
In Patna, JDU leader Shivanand Tiwari said a “graceful sendoff” should be given to the veteran politician by making him the country’s 13th president.
He said Pranab enjoys the backing of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), whose support will take the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) strength in the electoral college to 47.6 per cent. JD-U chief Sharad Yadav was quick to point out that NDA will meet on Sunday and decide its stand on the presidential poll. He added that Tiwari was airing his personal view.
However, sources in the JD-U say that at the NDA meeting many party leaders will stress on support to Pranab.
The BJP will have to decide on whether it will back Purno Sangma, who is ready to defy his party Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) diktat and contest against Pranab, or go along with majority political opinion and back Pranab as a consensus candidate.
Sangma enjoys the support of two chief ministers – AIADMK’s J Jayalalithaa and Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) Naveen Patnaik. The BJD came out in open support of Sangma.
“As of now there is no change in our decision on the presidential poll. BJD sticks to its support for Sangma, a prominent tribal leader,” BJD leader Arjun Sethi said in Odisha.
Agencies
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