Opp's improved performance desirable for democracy: Pranab

Kolkata, May 24(UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the improved performance of the Opposition in West Bengal Panchayat elections was desirable for democracy.

''I am happy that the Congress has won zilla parishads in North Dinajpur and Malda districts and recorded victory in many panchayat samities. The Trinamool Congress has also produced a good result.

The people give their verdict in any election based on choice and it is desirable,'' he said.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the annual conference of the National Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM) here.

Mr Mukherjee, the immediate past President of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, however, declined to comment on whether land acquisition issue was the factor for the opposition making heavy gains in the polls.

'' I will not give any instant reaction. Let the detailed report come to us for analysis. The state party president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi has told me that he is collecting detailed reports for analysis of success and failures,'' he said.

He also evaded a question on whether an initiative would be taken for an alliance against the Left Front in the state, saying '' you will come to know if it is done''.

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