Key UPA ally Trinamool Congress on Saturday said it has an “open mind” on the issue of Vice-Presidential poll nominee, ahead of a meeting of the ruling alliance to decide the issue.
Railways Minister Mukul Roy, who will be representing TMC in the UPA meeting on Saturday, said, “I am going with an open mind...I do not have any agenda.”
He denied having any proposal or name to be put forth for the post of Vice President at Saturday’s meeting and said whatever will be discussed will be communicated to the party leadership for taking a final decision in this regard. He also made it clear that he was not competent to decide on the issue.
Mr. Roy’s remarks came in the backdrop of reports that TMC would propose the name of former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi for VP post.
“No name has been proposed to us nor am I having any name for the post of Vice President. Whatever will be communicated to me or discussed in the meeting, I will communicate to my party leadership. The party will decide on the subject. I am not competent to decide. Accordingly, we will convey,” Mr. Roy told reporters.
Mr. Roy denied carrying any letter from party leader Mamata Bannerjee on the issue. He also said the chapter of the party’s stand on the Presidential poll was over.
On whether the party will extend its support to UPA Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee, the Railway Minister said “the party’s decision will be conveyed to all MLAs and MPs well before the election.”
Sources close to him, however, hinted there was a provision on the right to not voting also.
