Former President APJ Abdul Kalam is under pressure from Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest the Presidential poll, according to sources. Sources say Kalam will meet NCP leader PA Sangma at 2 pm on Monday to discuss the Presidential poll.Mamata Banerjee, who has been backing Dr APJ Kalam's candidature for the President's post is expected to make a formal announcement to her party on Monday evening. A meeting will be held on Monday evening. Party sources say Mamata will issue a whip instructing the Trinamool MPs and MLAs to fall in line and vote for the candidate she picks.Sources add that a specific diktat has been issued to ensure no cross-voting. Sources say many of her MLAs and MPs are upset with Mamata's decision to not support UPA's Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee. Even as the Congress announced Pranab as its Presidential candidate, Mamata remained firm on Kalam and took to Facebook to gather support for his candidature.Trinamool MP Kunal Ghosh said the party was firm about backing Kalam for Presidency. He said that Mamata also requested NCP leader PA Sangma to withdraw from the race. "PA Sangma rang up Mamata Banerjee. She requested him to withdraw his nomination in support of Kalam. We are in favour of Kalam and we appeal to all parties to support him. |
