By IANS,
New Delhi : With Pranab Mukherjee being named the UPA’s candidate for president, the Congress Friday expressed hope that mercurial ally Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee would come on board and support him.
Opposed to Mukherjee, Banerjee is backing former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for the high office and did not attend the United Progressive Alliance meet, which endorsed Mukherjee’s candidature) triggering speculation that she may walk out of the alliance.
“Let us wait for her reaction… I hope she will realise her mistake and will stay in the UPA,” Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters.
“Even today, Mamata is our alliance partner,” Congress media department chief Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.
Digvijay Singh appealed to the West Bengal chief minister to work together with the Congress on key policy issues keeping in mind the difficult times for the economy.
He also thanked Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had joined hands with Banerjee in opposing Mukherjee’s candidature, for coming out in support of the UPA’s candidate for the presidential post.
“Mulayam Singh has taken a wise decision… we thank him,” he said.