"I gave voice to what millions of Indians want to see as President"
Instead of a press meet where she was expected to reveal her strategy on the Presidential polls, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday turned to Facebook, making her first post on the social networking site while launching a campaign for A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
“Whatever I have to say, I have said on Facebook,” she told reporters before making an early exit from the Secretariat. “It would not take long for 4,000 to become four lakh,” she said, perhaps in a reference to the ‘comments and likes' that her post had attracted.
On Friday, she said none should think that the game was over. “Whatever I have to say I will do so tomorrow [on Saturday] but the game is not yet over,” she had said.
Pointing out that this was her first post and that she was starting a dynamic engagement process, Ms. Banerjee began with Rabindranath Tagore's oft-quoted poem: “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…”
Ms. Banerjee said her party was a small one without the resources of a big party, but it was led by truth and conviction.
She said the Trinamool supported Mr. Kalam as the Presidential candidate as he was a voice of reason and sanity who rose above dirty politics. “I gave voice to what millions of Indians want to see as President.”
Pointing out that she would bow to the will of the people, the firebrand politician asked fellow citizens to petition their public representatives to stand up and vote for Mr. Kalam. “Let your voice be heard.”
Keywords: Mamata Banerjee Facebook, presidential election, Presidential candidate, APJ Abdul Kalam, UPA allies, coalition politics
i support Dr.Abdul Kalam as next president of our country.he is d role model of everyone.Pranav mukharji is also the part of tat dirty politics.kalam is d best choice for next president.
Mr.Abdul Kalam Sir is only the right and best person for the president post.
If people have the rights to vote for president of India. They support for Abdul Kalam! we too.
Dr Kalam is undoubtedly a good candidate
Dear Didi, i support your movement for Dr. Kalam as President of India, I support you unconditionally, I want to tell all our country people that we must unite ourselves for the country's well being and esteem, I will call for not to take any decision in view of regionalism, Please think for the nation and support Dr. Abdul Kalam as he is a real ultimate visionary person.
No doubt Pranab Mukherji is experienced among many, but he will definitely misuse his experience for the party interest. He is neither an efficient Minister in handling both external as well as finance. Inefficiency cannot be called experience. His election to this post will further degrade the post. Kalam is the best. Sangma is fine as he represent NE and Tribal population. Lets create an impact by supporting Kalam at least.
Drama being played by DIDI sure after she agreed to Pranab nomination behind scenes (as he is Bengali) - has become most unreliable after assuming CM post; sad trend all leaders show courage once and later change to serve personal agenda; long back Chidamabaram started Tamil Manila cong with good motives(?) later merged with Cong; ditto Sharad Pawar (read Share At Power is his name) own party started NOW chamchagiri ally of Sonia! Shame on all our folks; NO real capable person available for HIGH office??? Funny comment was made - put Anna Hazare in the post and you can avoid his campaigns against black money corruption etc - Ha Ha !!
Dr kalam will be the best president of india as a nonpolitical man.I think, didi is right now.She is a ideal brave woman.
im suport for Mr.A.P.J.ABDULKALAM
There is no better candidate for president post than Abdul Kalam
Mamata's choice is the best choice. Dr. Kalam is the No. 1 candidate to be the president of India again.
Could any of you give me the link on facebook to which the campaign in that she started is on. It not the time to prepare the score card of Ms Banergee. We have to be finding ways to address our interest, desire and needs. If it is through social networking site, so be it. Lets all do what is in our power to take what is ours than some mistakenly elected people dumping their interest on us as if they are for our good. If you have please spread the link.
I support Abdul Kalam for presidential candidate...at least he is different than other presidents we have so far...he gives motivation and thinking to the students....He will be a role model....
kalam, someone with a visionary spirit, reminds us of the heights to be acheived, he can be a voice of social conscience.congress playing political chess moves and game of prejudices. first pratibha now pranab, tomorrow ak. antony, perhaps. i request other political parties to take a relook at their choices.
If Indian people are allowed to chose their President directly, Abdul Kalam will will trounce Pranabji by atleast 10:1 margin...But I don't think the ruling party really cares of what average Indian thinks...they will force thier elected members to vote for their chosen candidate...It is utter disregard of principles of democarcy in India when public opinion counts to nothing...
This time though,I could not but agree with the whimsical Didi.
Dr Kalam is undoubtedly a good candidate, but remember, he is not just the only one good candidate. Is that our country faces a crisis for good candidates for the President's position? Dr Kalam already had his time and Mamata Banerjee does not want to allow him live in peace and wants to pull him into controversy. Mr Pranab Mukherjee is a matured politician with a good track record and suitable from every angle for the post of President. madam Banerjee is fighting a an ego war and there is asbolutely no logic or political strength in her campaign. The economy is burning and leave your petty politics and think about the nation.
We all indians want A.P.J.Abdul Kalam as our President.
We are sure we will be happy under his rule and he is the right person to the President position, according to these political conditions today going on....
support Kalam who always educate children to talk and act against corruption, who will make lokpal bill to into reality. sincere request to respected leaders of all parties to support whole heartedly KALAM.
One cannot behave like an hysterical adolescent who has been refused permission to one's choice of high heel shoes.
Sincerity Simplicity and honesty notwithstanding (it is really a moot point if one has these qualities or like any other shrewd politician one just puts on these acts for the public) - decency and decorum in communicating differences of opinion has to come back to Indian polity. One has every right to make one's choice but has to live with the consequences of oneupmanship and assuming the right to speak for everyone even before everyone has had a chance to exchange views or discuss choices and impact of choices for the country.
It is high time that the rules that are applicable for a person to be nominated for the post of president of india are also imposed by the Election Commission for those who file nomination to run for an MLA or MP position.
Then and only then will India see greatness in its leaders instead of the cacaphony and circus we witness everyday.
Politics is different from public opinion. Why didn't Mamata go for public opinion about the Lokpal Bill before pulling it down. She should take public opinion on facebook or whatever about what she did to the prof. She arrived with great expectations from everyone. We all like Abdul Kalam. We also like Lok Pal bill of Anna. Please Mamata change now or next election you are gone. She is fast becoming a joker at great public cost.
You are the part of UPA, you are agitating against UPA. You have no tolerance what the media want to say. I think you are not matured enough to handle problems or holding an independent positions. I think you should hand over your post to someone you trust.
Mr A P J Abdul Kalam is the best for this post at the moment . And it's sad to see the Mulayam's volte face. He (Mulayam Singh) has always played a double and dirty policy to fulfill his short-term advantages. But this U-turn of Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav has surprised and saddened everyone and strengthen the fact that you can't believe anyone in politics and anything could be happened in indian politics.
Mamata is trying to get back her image in public by nominating Kalam..We all need Kalam to become president of India...
Kalam, man who promotes deadly and dangerous nuclear power and GM foods that
are harmful to the immune system is a choice for President? Mamata should do her homework. Very few of us want him as President especially after he said that Koodankulam nuclear power plant was safe and a month later the AERB came out with a report citing all the problems with the plant. The masses are riding on media hype. Besides in a country of ONE BILLION PEOPLE, Kalam should have the GRACE to give other leaders a chance and Pranabji is well liked by all despite his dubious statements about oil companies being broke and forcing austerity . Hope Pranabji does not load us tax payers with mega bills for travel to foreign countries and also shells out his own cash when taking his relatives. For the rest Pranabji has an adorable way of presenting himself and definitely will be a plus for India in projecting diplomacy and grace, good grooming and intelligent speech.
Madam Mamata, Please do not make issue in everything and allow the country to run in spite of all economic issues going on around the world. Pranabji is an excellent candidate from Bengal, your own state. We will be seeing an excellent peiod under his Presidentancy even compared to Kalam Period. Anybody's echo has a limit and does not hinder the developments of a country.
Between Kalam and Pranab, the former is more a befitting candidate judged by his
first stint in the post and the respect he brought to the highest seat.
all the people want kalam become a president
I totally support Didi's initiative. Although being isolated she hasn't left hope...
Yes. Mamata is right. Kalam inspires all Indians. He is the right person for Indian President
Please Email the Editor