Congress renews appeal to Trinamool to support Pranab

In an effort to bring UPA’s key ally Trinamool Congress on board, Congress on Wednedday renewed its appeal to the party to support the candidature of UPA’s nominee Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential poll.

“Trinamool Congress is our strong ally and they are also in the UPA government. We hope Trinamool Congress will support Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential election,” AICC general secretary in-charge of West Bengal, Shakeel Ahmed, told reporters at the Assembly after meeting Congress MLAs.

“After announcement of the candidature of Pranab Mukherjee, not a single MLA or leader of Trinamool Congress has said anything against him. This is a positive sign. We appeal to everyone to vote for Mukherjee,” he said.

Ahmed said Mukherjee has already stated that Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee was like his sister and sought support of all parties including Trinamool Congress.

Playing to the Bengali sentiment, he said, “We appeal to all like-minded MLAs who feel Pranab Mukherjee belongs to Bengal, to vote for him. Entire Bengal is feeling elated because of Mukherjee’s candidature for the Presidential poll.

“We hope that through the efforts of state Congress leaders, MLAs of other parties will also come forward to support Mukherjee,” he said.

Ahmed parried a question on whether he would meet Mamata to seek her party’s support for Mukherjee.

Mukherjee is scheduled to meet Congress and Left MLAs including CPI (M) and All India Forward Bloc on July 9 here.