New Delhi, June 30 (IBNS): Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Saturday said the victory of United Progressive Alliance (UPA)'s candidate Pranab Mukherjee in the upcoming Presidential poll is certain due to the support of the Shiv Sena and the Janata Dal (United).
In his party mouthpiece Saamna, Sena supremo Thackeray said both Pranab and his challenger PA Sangma do not have the ability to get elected on their own or by receiving the support from their party alone.
"Both Pranab Mukherjee and PA Sangma do not have the ability to get elected on their own," Thackeray said.
He said the election is being conducted on 'borrowed support'.
"At the time when Pranab Mukherjee went to file nominations for the poll, he was accompanied by Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Mulayam Yadav, Lalu Prasad, Ramvilas Paswan, T R Balu," he said.
"However, the mathematics does not stand that as these people are with him, he will win and go to Rashtrapati Bhawan," he said.
"Mukherjee's victory became certain only due to the open-hearted support given by Shiv Sena and JD(U)," Thackeray said.
"By keeping in mind the current unstable situation and chaos in future, we took the decision to support Pranab," he said. "We are confident that only he can surpass the current situation as he has the ability to take correct decisions."
He said Shiv Sena's support is 'limited' to Presidential candidate Pranab only.
He said Pranab has the capacity to win and he has disconnected his connection with the Congress.
After Janata Dal (United), the Shiv Sena, another partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has batted for Pranab as a suitable candidate to be the next President of India.
The BJP on the other hand is supporting Sangma.
Pranab and Sangma filed nominations for the poll on June 28.
The Presidential election is scheduled for for July 19.
