From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: The Presidential candidate of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Pranab Mukherjee on Friday stated that he banked on judgement of the members of the Electoral College for the outcome of the forthcoming Presidential election.
During an interaction with the media here on Friday evening following his interaction with Congress chief ministers, legislators, MPs and leaders of certain regional political groups of the North East, Mukherjee said, “Outcome of the President’s election is dependent on the judgement of members of the Electoral College and I have full confidence in their judgement.”
He said so when drawn to his rival Purno A Sangma’s campaign strategy based on the latter’s tribal identity.
Mukherjee declined to make any comment on Sangma’s stand that time has come for the country to give chance to a tribal to adorn the office of the President of India.
Mukherjee hoped that UPA constituent Trinamool Congress’ legislators and MPs would vote for him.
“Trinamool Congress is yet to take a decision about whom to support in the Presidential election. Their leader will decide on it before the actual date of election. I hope they will support me,” Mukherjee said during an interaction with the media here.
Regarding the demand for a Presidential debate before the election, Mukherjee said, “Scope of such a debate is not there in the Indian political system unlike the US and France. Constitution may vest power in President here but the power is executed by a council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister and they determine the policies. So, appropriate debate can take place during general election, but it is difficult to hold such a debate in a multi-party system,”
Mukherjee was here to interact with Congress chief ministers and legislative party leaders of the Northeast, party legislators and MPs.
He also interacted with small regional political parties who are yet to decide on whom to support in the Presidential election.
Mukherjee met leaders of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) led by perfume mogul Badaruddin Ajmal and Congress’ only ally in Assam, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF). The AIUDF has 18 MLAs in Assam and one MP while the BPF has 12 MLAs and one MP.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki came to Guwahati to meet Mukherjee.
Pranab is slated to travel to Left-Front ruled Tripura to meet Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and other Left Front leaders there.
