The Opposition presidential candidate, Mr P.A. Sangma, on Tuesday met chief minister and Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and sought her party’s support for his candidature. “I am very happy with the outcome of the meeting and I am going back with a lot of hope for the support of Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamul Congress,” a visibly elated former Lok Sabha Speaker said after his 30-minute-long meeting with Ms Banerjee. Railway minister Mukul Roy and Trinamul Congress president and MP Subrata Bakshi were also present.
Mr Sangma, who speaks Bengali fluently, later said that they had a bhalo alochana (good discussion) on not only the presidential election issue but on the overall political scenario prevailing in the country. “You will remember that in 2004 when I had to quit the Nationalist Congress Party, it was Mamata Banerjee who had come to my rescue. This time around also I am confident that I will receive her full support,” he added.
After the Congress and the NCP formed a coalition government in Mahar-ashtra in 2004, Mr Sangma broke away from the NCP. Mr Sangma reportedly was not happy with Sharad Pawar’s growing proximity to Sonia Gandhi. After losing a fight over the NCP’s election symbol, Mr Sangma merged his Nationalist Congress Party faction with the Trinamul Congress and formed the Nationalist Trinamul Congress and was, thereafter, elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004.
The railway minister said that Mr Sangma sought Ms Banerjee’s support for his candidature. “She told him that the issue would be discussed at the party level and he would be informed of our decision. In any case, there is enough time for the presidential election,” Mr Roy added.
Trinamul Congress insiders, however, pointed out that Mr Sangma’s optimism was misplaced. “He has been seeking an appointment with Didi. She merely extended the necessary courtesy and met him. Instead of rejecting his appeal for support, she told him that she would discuss it in the party forum.