TNI Bureau: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has declared an open war at the Congress Party by announcing former President APJ Abdul Kalam’s name for the post of President of India. She is all set to quit the UPA and topple the government if challenged.
Mamata met Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence this evening. Although there was no joint press conference, Mamata announced that APJ Abdul Kalam would be their final candidate and there won’t be any change of stand. Mamata praised Kalam and expressed confidence that he would agree to contest the Presidential Polls and emerge as the winner.
Mamata dared the Congress and said the ruling party cannot dictate its terms. She also warned the Congress against threatening her and said she is ready for the mid-term polls in the country.
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Mamata decided not to attend the UPA meeting tomorrow, which will discuss the Presidential polls. However, she denied the reports that she would try to topple the government. At the same time, Mamata said that Congress would lose the right to govern if its candidate loses Presidential polls.
The DMK, NCP, National Conference, RJD and many other parties have decided to back the Congress nominee in the Presidential Polls.
Meanwhile, former President APJ Abdul Kalam has arrived in Patna to attend farmers’ meeting. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar received him at the airport, which led to speculations that JD-U may back him as the next President.