Mail News Service
Imphal, Kolkata July 17: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her party will support UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee.
Mamata said she took the decision with a heavy heart and there are times decisions have to be taken for the larger interest of the people, state and democracy. “It would have been nice if we’d been saying this with a smile on our faces, unfortunately it is not so,” she told reporters after a meeting with several MPs and MLAs at Writers Building.
Having extended her support – that would also include four Gorkha Janmukti Morcha MLAs – Mamata made it clear unlike others there wasn’t any provocation, appeal or deal behind their decision.
“Had APJ Abdul Kalam been a candidate, we would have voted for him. It is our misfortune that a person of his stature didn’t have the support of all political parties. After that it was only about two candidates – Pranab Mukherjee and PA Sangma. We have observed all major political blocks were divided on the issue.
Voting for electing the new President of India will be held in Manipur in the Committee Room of the state Legislative Assembly between 10 am to 5 pm on July 19, state Chief Electoral officer PC Lawmkunga said Tuesday.
Y Indira Devi, Secretary and M Ramani Devi, Deputy Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly have been designated as the assistant Returning officers in respect of Manipur state.
Anup Chandra Pandey,Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, has been appointed by the ECI as the Observer .
On the day of poll on July 19, no cellular phones, cordless phones, wireless sets etc will be allowed to carry inside the polling station.
The counting of votes will take place at the office of the RO in Room No. 63, First Floor, Parliament House, New Delhi on July 22, it added.The total number of value vote for the state of Manipur to be exercised in the presidential poll is 3, 204.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/voting-at-state-assembly-mamata-to-support-pranab/
