Ruling UPA’s presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday canvassed for himself in the state capital and sought votes for the presidential poll from the Congress MPs and MLAs, along with the BSP and Samajwadi Party legislators of Madhya Pradesh.
From MP, Mr Mukherjee is sure of getting the votes of 12 MPs and 65 MLAs belonging to the Congress party. Besides, he has also been assured the support of seven BSP MLAs and one Samajwadi Party MLA from the state.
On arrival at Raja Bhoj airport here, Mr Mukherjee drove straight to Hotel Lake View Asoka, where he addressed the MPs and MLAs flanked by Union minister V. Narayanasamy, Congress general secretary B.K. Hari Prasad, senior Congress leaders Motilal Vora, Suresh Pachouri, state Congress president Kantilal Bhuria and Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Singh.
Addressing mediapersons before his departure, Mr Mukherjee ducked a question on the signature issue and the BJP allegation that his resignation from the Indian Statistical Institute was false. He refused to say anything in this regard except that the returning officer has already taken a decision in this matter.
Mr Mukherjee on Wednesday also made a brief visit to Chhattisgarh to drum up support of legislators and MPs of Congress from the state for him, amidst fear of cross-voting in the party.
The state Congress leadership has been working overtime to keep its flock, particularly the tribal legislators of the party, together ever since senior adivasi leader Arvind Netam, while playing the tribal card, had given a call to all the MLAs and MPs of his community to vote for BJP-backed presidential nominee P.A. Sangma last month.