In an indirect reference to the Trinamool Congress, the UPA Presidential candidate, Pranab Mukherjee, said on Saturday that he would appeal to the ruling coalition’s constituent that has not decided yet to back him.
“All the constituents of UPA who are in the government, but one, have supported [me]. Even parties outside the UPA, such as the SP, the BSP, the CPI(M), the AIFB, the JD(U) and the Shiv Sena, have extended their support. I pray that those who have not taken a decision… may support the UPA candidate,” he said, speaking to reporters here.
Having earlier supported the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is yet to make known her mind after Mr. Kalam chose not to contest.
“A village boy”
Before setting off for his native place in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, Mr. Mukherjee, 76, admitted that he was nostalgic. “Not many of you perhaps know… I am basically a village boy. I graduated from a district college and I would rush home from my hostel even when there was a three-day break. I am inextricably linked with my village… Yes, I am suffering from nostalgia now.”
Mr. Mukherjee arrived in his native places — Kirnahar and Mirati — to a tumultuous welcome. People lined up the roads, holding aloft garlands and bouquets; girls blew conch shells and performed tribal dances.
Standing near his ancestral house, he said: “It feels good to come back to the village which has raised you.” He offered worship to the family deity and visited his family elders.
“If I am elected President, a new era would start for me, after nearly four decades in politics. For the President, there is neither politics nor any party; he acts according to the Constitution,” he said.
Keywords: Presidential polls, Pranab Mukherjee, Trinamool Congress






So what Miser. Aren't you corrupt, you are, everyone knows that. And most important thing: After becoming President will you not show partiality towards CONGRESS party, YES ofcourse you will
"For the President, there is neither politics nor any party; he acts according to the Constitution." It would indeed be great for the nation if Dr PM is able to revitalise the office of the President of India, which at present many citizens consider to be so devalued as to make the post redundant. The nomination by the electoral college is not yet over - so one should say, 'Let the best man win and good luck to both candidates'.
Rightly so. Nostalgia of playing second fiddle to Indira Gandhi. Nostalgia of eliminating such political stalwarts as Kamaraj into political obliviion. Those who practiced politics to its rudiments were sidelined by these sycophants who were prepared to sign on the dotted lines and who passed resolutions authorising Indira Gandhi at Congress(Indira)Working Committee meetings.
Congress party have manipulated cleverly the election process for the highest post of our country. It did not follow democratic traditions to elect the Rashtrapathi of our country. The main opposition party BJP was not even informed lest it should be consulted. All democratic values have gone along with Vajpayee's rule. Using CBI as a weapon it has managed a few parties to support its candidate Pranab Mukarji. Money also has played a big part in this election. Media has reported that Sonia even tempted Sangma for the post of an Ambassador post for a country like Mauritius. DMK have come forward to offer crores of money to the main opposition party in Tamilnadu to support Pranab Mukarji's candidature. The history shows to prove that all our former Presidents were political belonging to Congress party only except Dr Radhakrishnan and Dr Abdul Kalam. They were eminent Men. Pranab also is going to be apolitical another yesman to Sonia like like Manmohan Singh and Pratibha Patil.
The Hindu can't keep it self with the ruling Congress over 5 decades.. Do not publish biased News.. Do not promote Corruption(Congress) !!
UPA supported candidate Pranab Mukerjee is most capable person in that seat.He has most senior leader in congress and also he know that India faced all such kinds of problems, how to go away in that problem. I heartfully supported in that decision
Sorry to say majority of Bengali do not really feel pride for Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. He has not done anything for Bengal in fourty years of his public life. Bengalis have no special feeling for him. He is talking so much of his village. Has he done anything to improve conditions of his village or district which is still one of the most backward places in India. Such is the love for him in his home district he has even dared to stand a MP election from his district. So please do not try to raise Bengali passions for his candidature. He never done anything for Bengal. Bengal has produced lots of great men and women in past and he is definitely not one of them. These people never got a chance to rise to highest post in land because of anti Bengali sentiments in Delhi.
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