Mamata to wait and watch after Kalam pulls out of Prez poll race
2012-06-19 [10:15:00 hrs] | |  | APJ Abdul Kalam’s withdrawal from the Presidential race has left Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its leader Mamata Banerjee stumped. In fact, the West Bengal Chief Minister is said to be hurt by Kalam’s decision. However, TMC does not seem to be in a hurry to pick up a new name for the post of President. |
| | | TMC MP Sudip Bandhopadhyay told the media is that there is still some time left and his party would like to wait and watch. If Kalam sticks to his decision then TMC will hold a meeting to discuss its future course of action.
After Mamata met her party MPs yesterday, it was decided that TMC will not quit from UPA II. "We have heard of reports saying that all our ministers and MPs have submitted their resignations to Mamata Banerjee. There isn't an iota of truth in it. Congress alone can't run the government in Delhi. We are the second largest partner in UPA-II and Congress requires our support. We have no intention of toppling the UPA-II government. However, if Congress feels that we have become a burden for them and wants us out, we will not hesitate to quit. All our ministers and MPs are mentally prepared for any such eventuality," Bandopadhyay declared after the meeting.
According to Trinamool leaders, Mamata's options seem to be limited as Kalam is unlikely to change his decision. One of the options would be to tie up with Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa and Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik to back their candidate, PA Sangma. Otherwise, she can allow herself to be persuaded into supporting Mukherjee, may be after the Centre makes a positive move on her demand for a financial package for West Bengal.
|
|
