Trinamool Takes 'Painful' Decision to Back Pranab

Kolkata: In a U-turn, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said her party will vote for UPA's Pranab Mukherjee in Thursday's presidential battle. She called the decision 'painful' and that she was left with no other option.

"We have decided to support Pranab Mukherjee keeping in mind the alliance we have with the Congress," a sombre Banerjee told the media after a meeting of her party's senior MPs and legislators.

Mukherjee told journalists: "I welcome this decision."

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said this would further strengthen Mukherjee's candidature. But the BJP demanded to know the "compulsions" behind Banerjee's dramatic U-turn.

The West Bengal chief minister said she had informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the decision. She added that UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi was "well aware of her mind".

"In the interest of the people, democracy ... we have decided to vote for him."

In comments that made it clear that she was miffed with Mukherjee, she called the decision "painful and tough".

Had (former president) A.P.J Kalam agreed to be in the race, we would have supported him. But nobody forced my hand. I have not taken my decision by bowing down to any pressure or to please anyone," she said.

With Trinamool backing Mukherjee, he can get around 735,000 votes from the Electoral College made up of MPs and legislators. NDA's Purno Sangma, a former Lok Sabha speaker, can count on 313,000 votes.

Banerjee pointed out that her party was left with two options - to abstain or vote for Mukherjee or Sangma.

"This is an election which has created divisions in the UPA, NDA and the Left Front. We decided to vote because if we don't vote, then how could we appeal to the masses to vote?

"We have not taken this decision from the core of our heart. We have no other option."