Kolkata, July 9 (IBNS): United Progressive Alliance (UPA)'s Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said he is ready to talk to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the upcoming poll for the titular post when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo is willing.
"I am ready to speak to her (Mamata Banerjee) when she is ready to talk to me," Mukherjee said while addressing a press conference here on Monday.
Pertinently, Banerjee has not voiced her support for Mukherjee's candidature so far.
Mukherjee, now touring India to garner support for his win, is in Kolkata on Monday meeting lawmakers from the two Left parties backing him.
He met the lawmakers of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Forward Bloc which have pledged support to him as the President of India.
He went to the West Bengal Assembly for the meeting and said the post of President is above politics.
Mukherjee also meet his own party (Congress) members and lawmakers.
However, a meeting with the TMC is unlikely.
"It is my responsibility to thank all party members who have supported me. I have come to Kolkata only for this reason," he said.
Mukherjee on July 3 last visited Uttar Pradesh to meet several political leaders in an attempt to draw their support for the upcoming election.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav hosted a lunch for him.
Mukherjee also met the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati.
Both the BSP and the ruling SP, who are arch rivals in politics, have backed Mukherjee's Presidential candidature.
He had earlier visited Chennai and Hyderabad to draw support for himself for the upcoming Presidential election.
He visited Kerala on July 4 and Rajasthan and Gujarat on July 5. Mukherjee also visited Assam and Tripura.
This is the very basic difference between a brave, strong person and a spineless and coward one. One is begging for time with a high hope ( like a crore rupees lottery ) and the other, a brave and strong but as simple as a child. This simple man is being welcomed from every corner of our society and everybody wants to meet him, everyone wholeheartedly wants a fraction of his valuable time if he kindly allows meeting. You, to the new generation of India , thru this I’m asking please tell me who is the fittest candidate for the top post, for the President of India?
