Editor’s Desk: Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had triggered a storm within the UPA by opposing Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential Polls, had to bite the dust after the Congress cornered and bullied its ally with a meticulous plan.
While Mamata Banerjee continued to oppose Pranab and slammed the Congress at every meeting and press meets, Pranab Mukherjee and the Congress Party reached out to TMC MLAs and MPs, invoking the Bengali pride.
Most MPs and MLAs of Trinamool Congress were reluctant to oppose Pranab Mukherjee, who hails from West Bengal. Mamata’s problem was compounded when CPI(M) and Forward Bloc came in support of Pranab.
Mamata did not have any choice but to back Pranab to avoid a split within his own party and prevent a backlash from the Bengalis who are very much conscious about their pride and honour. This is the first time West Bengal has got a chance to see somebody from the state as the President of India. And, the common Bengalis did not want to let this opportunity go. The latest development came as a big setback to PA Sangma, who relied heavily on Mamata with the hope that she would support his candidature.
When Mamata did a U-turn and announced her support to Pranab yesterday, she looked shaken and disturbed. She admitted that the decision was very painful for her and she took it under compulsion. Mamata had to swallow her pride and ego while coming out in support of Pranab Da, while the Congress has reasons to smile that it finally tamed the tigress.