Prez post vital during complex political situations:Pranab

UPA presidential candidate Pranab Mukhejee on Saturday said although the President holds a constitutional post, he plays a very vital role during complicated political situations.

"I am going to begin a new innings after ending a five-decade-old political career and as a senior most parliamentarian. Though the post is virtually the constitutional head of the country, it plays a very vital role during complicated political situations," he told reporters here.

Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, Mukherjee said, "In politics I have gained much more than what I gave."

On touring the North Eastern region from where another presidential candidate P A Sangma hailed, Mukherjee said, "I will not comment on any presidential candidate. I am overwhelmed by the love, affection and friendship shown by the legislators from the North Eastern region."

Asked if he would meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he refused to comment.

Mukherjee said he had started his tour from June 30 to garner support for him in the presidential poll and has already covered the southern region, the northeastern region, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat.

The ruling CPI-M in Tripura, opposition Congress and it's ally Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura have announced their support to him in the presidential elections. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said it was for the first time that any presidential candidate has visited Tripura and interacted with the legislators. "I have invited Mukherjee to visit Tripura first after assuming the office of the President," he said.