Cong hopes Mamata will back Pranab's nomination

New Delhi: Congress on expressed the hope that TMC chief Mamata Banerjee will accept the candidature of Pranab Mukherjee for the post of President like other UPA partners.

"People give their candidature. After that whatever decision is taken with consensus everybody accepts it. Mamata is our very senior leader and we hope that she will also accept it. If everybody agrees, the whole coalition agrees then I think she will also agree," Union Coal Minister and Congress leader Sriprakash Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal's comments come at a time when Banerjee has reiterated her support to former president APJ Abdul Kalam for the top post. In a posting on her Facebook page, Banerjee said Kalam was TMC's choice as well as the choice of millions of Indians.

Congress leader Sriprakash Jaiswal comments came even as Mamata Banerjee decided to back APJ Abdul Kalam.

"I gave voice to what millions of Indians want to see in a President," she said. Refusing to budge from her stand, she said, "My party is a small party. We are not a big party with none of the resources others possess. We are led by truth and conviction. All through my life I have stood by my principles. I stand by the position I have taken."

Mukherjee had on Friday made a personal appeal to Banerjee, saying he expected her support as she was like a sister to him.

In reply to a question, Jaiswal said there was no deal or agreement between Congress and Samajwadi Party on the presidential candidate issue.

"Parties which are supporting Mukherjee's candidature are doing it on their own will. There was no pressure from the Congress. We have not done any agreement or deal with SP or any other parties for the support," he said.

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