Though it is uncertain whether UPA Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee will meet TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday, some Congress leaders and ministers are likely to push for Didi’s support for Pranab’s candidature.
West Bengal AICC general secretary-in-charge Shakeel Ahmed hoped Didi would back Dada. “The TMC is our strong ally. We hope the TMC will support Pranab in the Presidential election,” Ahmed added.
The West Bengal Chief Minister has asked all her party MLAs and MPs to be present during the Presidential election.
With this, the Congress hopes that Mamata is likely to vote for Pranab, and hectic parleys could be under way to solicit her support. She is likely to take a decision on the three days before the election.
“After Pranab was named the UPA candidate, no TMC member raised voice against it. This is a welcome sign,” Ahmed said, and urged the MLAs to vote for the UPA candidate.
Mamata is expected to meet HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday.
Both the ministers will attend a Group of Ministers’ (GoM) media briefing in Kolkata. They are likely to call on Didi to seek her support.
Sources said that even though it was not sure whether Pranab would speak to Mamata, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was likely to talk to her over phone seeking support.
Sangma has already sought Didi’s support during a personal visit.