Mamata sees “backroom deal-making”

In a Facebook post on Sunday, she rues that values and public interest have been “compromised”

Without directly referring to the developments in the run-up to the Presidential election, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has made a pitch for the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, hinted on Sunday that it was “backroom deal- making” and “Machiavellian manipulations and machinations” that came in her way.

“We, in the All India Trinamool Congress, support Mr. Kalam… I request all my fellow citizens to petition their public representatives to stand up, support and vote for him,” she posted on Facebook on Friday.

In Sunday's post, she thanked the people for their “…overwhelming response, in such a short span of time” and was confident that it would “take the issue to the next level.” But later, she made an alteration — which cannot be considered insignificant — to say that it would “take public issues to the next level.”

Ms. Banerjee regretted that politics in the country had become “murky” and values and public interest “have been compromised through the use of money, power and scams.”

She appealed to all, especially the youth, “to raise their voices and be counted to fight against corruption, backroom deal-making, Machiavellian manipulations and machinations.”

Her remarks are being construed as a comment on Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's change in stand on the candidature of Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and directed against the Congress as well.

At a press conference with Ms. Banerjee last week, Mr. Yadav announced the names of Mr. Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the former Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee. But two days later, Mr. Yadav extended full support to Mr. Mukherjee.

Though Ms. Banerjee had said that she would comment on the election only on Saturday, she told journalists on Sunday: “Whatever I have to say, I have said on Facebook.”