Chief Minister of West Bengal a day before the big meeting of the opposition Mamata Banerjee Met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Tuesday to discuss the presidential election. It is likely that she was there to persuade the veteran leader to be a joint opposition candidate for next month’s elections.
But, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Pawar had turned down the offer to be a candidate. The leaders had earlier met in the presence of CPI general secretary D Raja, as well as NCP leaders Praful Patel and PC Chacko, to apprise them of their decision not to contest the elections.
Pawar downplayed his meeting with Mamata, saying they discussed details on “various issues relating to our country”. He tweeted: “Ms. Mamata Banerjee met me today at my residence in Delhi. We had a detailed discussion on various issues related to our country. @MamataOfficial”
Ms. Mamata Banerjee met me today at my residence in Delhi.
We had a detailed discussion on various issues related to our country.@MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/ACv62oZtqq— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) 14 June 2022
Presidential elections are to be held on 18 July. Mamta has called a meeting of the opposition to agree on a joint candidate for the election. Despite not having numbers, the opposition has decided to field a joint candidate. The United Progressive Alliance has 150,000 votes from MPs as well as MLAs. In the past too, the opposition candidates have got a little over three lakh votes.
The Trinamool Congress also shared the details of the meeting on Twitter, saying “the resolve to fight divisive forces gets stronger”. “Our Honorable Speaker @MamataOfficial met Shri @PawarSpeaks today. Two veteran leaders set the stage for a meeting of all progressive opposition forces; Tomorrow is to be held at Constitution Club, New Delhi. Our resolve to fight the divisive forces gets stronger!”
our honorable president @MamataOfficial met Mr. @powerspeaks today.
Two veteran leaders set the stage for a meeting of all progressive opposition forces; Tomorrow is to be held at Constitution Club, New Delhi.
Our resolve to fight the divisive forces got stronger! pic.twitter.com/9Pm3abPMEN
– all India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) 14 June 2022
Around 22 parties will come together for the meeting. Congress will be represented by senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewala.
(with PTI inputs)
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