Bangalore, July 1 (IANS) United Progressive Alliance’s presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee Sunday urged uncommitted political parties, including Trinamool Congress, to support him in the July 19 poll.
Mukherjee, on a tour of states to seek support, told reporters here that he was “requesting all political parties who have not yet declared their decision, including leader of Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee” to back him.
On who can fill his role as the main trouble-shooter of Congress, he said the Congress “is a grand old party. There is no dearth of talent in the over 125-year-old party. It has always risen to the occasion”.
Earlier Mukherjee was given a rousing welcome at the state Congress office here by party leaders and members. In his brief address, he said that presidential poll was above partisan politics and hoped that all political parties would support him.
He also met former prime minister and Janata Dal-Secular president H.D. Deve Gowda and thanked him for the support of his party.
The JD-S has three Lok Sabha members from Karnataka and 26 members in the state assembly.
