Presidential Poll 2012 !!
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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee debuted on Facebook on Saturday renewing her call for APJ Kalam as President, and saying that whatever else she had to say on the subject would be updated on the internet social network site.
"I have already put across my viewpoints in Facebook. Whatever I have to say, I will say on Facebook", Banerjee said before leaving the state secretariat unfazed by her isolation after the Congress-led UPA yesterday named Pranab Mukherjee as its Presidential nominee.
Banerjee, who had told reporters last night that "the game is not over. It has just begun" and she would speak her mind on the presidential elections today, said "I wont say anything today. Tomorrow is Sunday. I don't know ... on Monday ... we will see then..."
The Trinamool Congress chief wrote in her first post on Facebook, "I gave voice to what millions of Indians want to see in a President".
She claimed there was already a good response to the post on the social network.
Stating that the will of the people was supreme in a democracy, Banerjee requested fellow citizens to petition their public representatives to stand up, support and vote for Kalam.
"Let your voice be heard. I will bow to the will of the people", she said.
Describing India's 'missile man' as a proud and distinguished son of India who continued to inspire all Indians, the chief minister said Kalam remained above narrow politics.
"He is a seeker of truth, a fountain of knowledge and an impartial voice of reason and sanity, who is above narrow politics. He is the kind of man all our citizens aspire to make President", Banerjee said.
Refusing to budge from her stand, she said, "My Party is a small party. We are not a big party with none of the resources others possess. We are led by truth and conviction. All through my life I have stood by my principles. I stand by the position I have taken".
Recalling Tagore's famous lines 'Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high' in her first posting she said, "I am a humble, transparent, common person like the vast majority of you".
Whatever I have to say I will say on Facebook: Mamata Banerjee - The Times of India
"I have already put across my viewpoints in Facebook. Whatever I have to say, I will say on Facebook", Banerjee said before leaving the state secretariat unfazed by her isolation after the Congress-led UPA yesterday named Pranab Mukherjee as its Presidential nominee.
Banerjee, who had told reporters last night that "the game is not over. It has just begun" and she would speak her mind on the presidential elections today, said "I wont say anything today. Tomorrow is Sunday. I don't know ... on Monday ... we will see then..."
The Trinamool Congress chief wrote in her first post on Facebook, "I gave voice to what millions of Indians want to see in a President".
She claimed there was already a good response to the post on the social network.
Stating that the will of the people was supreme in a democracy, Banerjee requested fellow citizens to petition their public representatives to stand up, support and vote for Kalam.
"Let your voice be heard. I will bow to the will of the people", she said.
Describing India's 'missile man' as a proud and distinguished son of India who continued to inspire all Indians, the chief minister said Kalam remained above narrow politics.
"He is a seeker of truth, a fountain of knowledge and an impartial voice of reason and sanity, who is above narrow politics. He is the kind of man all our citizens aspire to make President", Banerjee said.
Refusing to budge from her stand, she said, "My Party is a small party. We are not a big party with none of the resources others possess. We are led by truth and conviction. All through my life I have stood by my principles. I stand by the position I have taken".
Recalling Tagore's famous lines 'Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high' in her first posting she said, "I am a humble, transparent, common person like the vast majority of you".
Whatever I have to say I will say on Facebook: Mamata Banerjee - The Times of India
APJ Abdul Kalam not to contest Prez poll
With Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee being strongly backed by the UPA and other parties, former president APJ Abdul Kalam has decided not to contest the Presidential poll.
Issuing a formal statement, Kalam said that he was overwhelmed by the support he received but considering the current political situation he decided against contesting the poll.
“You are aware of the developments in the run up of the presidential election. Though I have never aspired to serve another term or show interest in contesting the election madam Mamata Banerjee and other political parties wanted me to be their candidates may many citizens also expressed the same wish. It only reflects their love and affection for me and the aspiration of the people. I am really overwhelmed by this support. This being their wish, I respect it. I want to thank them for the trust they have in me,” the former president said in the statement.
“I have considered the totality of the matter and present political situation and decided not to contest the Presidential Election 2012,” the letter said.
Importantly, Kalam thanked Mamata Banerjee for the faith she has in him.
Kalam’s assertion gains importance as it comes after the Trinamool Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena requested him to jump in the fray and take on dada. Dr Kalam had earlier – before UPA managed to build consensus on Pranab - indicated that he would like to contest if there was sizeable support for his candidature.
However, Kalam expressed his unwillingness to contest to BJP leader LK Advani when the latter called up the former president to request him to contest the poll.
The BJP, which is not in favour of allowing Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee a walkover in the Presidential race, was keen on Kalam, as the party feels that owing to his wide popularity he will give a tough fight to Pranab.
Prior to Advani’s phone conversation with Kalam, key BJP man Sudeendra Kulkari twice met Kalam today. Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee, who first floated Kalam’s name for Presidency, had maintained that her party remains firm on backing Kalam.
APJ Abdul Kalam not to contest Prez poll
With Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee being strongly backed by the UPA and other parties, former president APJ Abdul Kalam has decided not to contest the Presidential poll.
Issuing a formal statement, Kalam said that he was overwhelmed by the support he received but considering the current political situation he decided against contesting the poll.
“You are aware of the developments in the run up of the presidential election. Though I have never aspired to serve another term or show interest in contesting the election madam Mamata Banerjee and other political parties wanted me to be their candidates may many citizens also expressed the same wish. It only reflects their love and affection for me and the aspiration of the people. I am really overwhelmed by this support. This being their wish, I respect it. I want to thank them for the trust they have in me,” the former president said in the statement.
“I have considered the totality of the matter and present political situation and decided not to contest the Presidential Election 2012,” the letter said.
Importantly, Kalam thanked Mamata Banerjee for the faith she has in him.
Kalam’s assertion gains importance as it comes after the Trinamool Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena requested him to jump in the fray and take on dada. Dr Kalam had earlier – before UPA managed to build consensus on Pranab - indicated that he would like to contest if there was sizeable support for his candidature.
However, Kalam expressed his unwillingness to contest to BJP leader LK Advani when the latter called up the former president to request him to contest the poll.
The BJP, which is not in favour of allowing Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee a walkover in the Presidential race, was keen on Kalam, as the party feels that owing to his wide popularity he will give a tough fight to Pranab.
Prior to Advani’s phone conversation with Kalam, key BJP man Sudeendra Kulkari twice met Kalam today. Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee, who first floated Kalam’s name for Presidency, had maintained that her party remains firm on backing Kalam.
APJ Abdul Kalam not to contest Prez poll
Pranab Mukherjee will be India's 13th President, officials announced on Sunday, as the former finance minister comfortably crossed the halfway mark with 5,58,000 votes to secure his journey to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
His rival, former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma, was way behind with 2,39,966 votes as counting continued, Mukherjee's polling agent Pravin H Parikh said. "He has crossed the halfway mark. He is the President-elect," Parikh said.
Though the result was clear, votes would continue to be counted till all the ballot boxes were opened.
Mukherjee, 76, who was most recently finance minister, is one of India's most experienced politicians. He was widely considered the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's most trusted and able strategists.
His candidature was backed not just by members of the UPA but also the Janata Dal-United and the Shiv Sena, which broke ranks with the opposition NDA. Besides, the CPI-M, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samajwadi Party were among those who supported him.
"I congratulate Pranab Mukherjee for this historic win. He will garner more than 70 per cent of the votes. I also thank people who supported him," union minister V Narayanasamy said.