UPA presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday phoned rebel Trinamul Congress MP Kabir Suman triggering a major political controversy in Kolkata. Mr Suman, who revels in controversies, informed Mr Mukherjee that his party’s opposition to his candidature notwithstanding, he would vote for him. Crying foul, Trinamul Congress leaders alleged that Mr Mukherjee was trying to break their party.
According to the singer-turned Jadavpur MP, Mr Mukherjee called him up at around 2 pm.
“He said he had heard that I was not keeping well and therefore called to inquire about my health,” Mr Suman said. Only a day ago, participating in a panel discussion on presidential election on a Bengali television channel, Mr Suman had declared that he considered Mr Mukherjee as the most suitable personality for the Raisina Hill.
“Pranab babu wanted to know whether I had articulated this opinion. When I said I did, he laughed mildly,” he added.
Thereafter betraying his naiveté, Mr Suman asked Mr Mukherjee where would the voting be held and whether it would be through electronic voting machine or through ballots.