New Delhi: Hours after APJ Abdul Kalam pulled out of the race for the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said that the decision by the former president to not contest the presidential poll has "hurt deeply".
"Kalam Saheb, you have touched our hearts and our spirit…I have seen your statement that you are not contesting. This news has hurt all of us deeply," said the West Bengal Chief Minister in a message on social networking website Facebook.
The Trinamool Congress chief, in her message, also launched a veiled attack on Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav saying "some political parties simply failed the people at this critical moment".
"In these trying and difficult times, public trust in the political class and institutions is under serious stress. There is a lack of faith of the common people in political entities who partake in rampant corruption and underhand dealings. Some self-seeking politicians have discarded all ethics and thereby have alienated themselves from the people," said Mamata.
This came less than an hour after the Trinamool Congress issued a thinly veiled threat to the Congress, accusing it of being incapable of running the government.
Addressing mediapersons, TMC MP Sudip Bandopadhyay said, "The Congress is not capable of running the government. It is the TMC that has extended its support. We should not be given any indirect threats."
Addressing mediapersons in New Delhi, TMC MP Sudip Bandopadhyay said that the Trinamool Congress was mentally prepared to leave the UPA if required, but not just yet.
He said, "We are ready to quit the moment we think that the situation is no more conducive."
The TMC MP, however, dismissed reports of the party's Union ministers submitting their resignations to Mamata.
He further said that the decision to back Kalam was the right one, saying it is unfortunate he declined a contest. The Trinamool tantrum is being seen as a pressure tactic to bring the Congress in line.
Reacting to the developments, an unfazed Congress reached out to the Trinamool Congress, calling Mamata an inseparable ally.
Denying any bitterness between the two parties, Congress spokesperson Shakil Ahmed said, "The TMC is an inseparable ally of the Congress. We hope that Mamata will vote in favour of Pranab Mukherjee… Kalam himself had said today that he doesn't want to contest."
The developments came just hours after Kalam, who the Trinamool Congress had been backing in the presidential poll, pulled out of the race, saying his conscience did not permit him to contest.
The former president issued a statement announcing his pullout from the presidential race wherein he also thanked the Trinamool Congress chief for her support.
Here is the full text of the message by Mamata Banerjee on Facebook:
Kalam Saheb, you have touched our hearts and our spirit.
I have seen your statement that you are not contesting. This news has hurt all of us deeply.
You were a People's President and bridged the gap between high office and common people. After waiting for 3-4 painful days, some political parties simply failed the people at this critical moment in responding to the clarion call given by so many common citizens of our nation to stand up for a man of impeccable integrity, highest moral character and an inspiration for the young generation of this country.
In these trying and difficult times, public trust in the political class and institutions is under serious stress. There is a lack of faith of the common people in political entities who partake in rampant corruption and underhand dealings. Some self-seeking politicians have discarded all ethics and thereby have alienated themselves from the people.
I have unshakeable belief in the indomitable will of the people of my country. They will rise to cleanse Indian politics and bring back honesty, values and ethics.
Again, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart, all my brothers and sisters, for your spontaneous and positive response for the great cause of our nation.
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