Pranab leaves it to High Command to become President

Midnapur, May 13 (UNI) External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee today said his chances of becoming presidential candidate were depending on the Congress High Command.

He said this while asked about his probability of being nominated by the Congress for the Presidential candidate.

Mr Mukharjee, also president of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, said that it was upto the Congress High Command to take a decision. "I will go by the decision of the High Command. If elected, however, I will follow the Indian Constitution strictly," Mr Mukharjee said.

He was replying questions from reporters in Circuit House here this evening after inaugurating the Centenary Celebration Programme on Gandhian Satyagraha in this town.

Earlier, he along with Digvijay Singh, the general secretary of AICC addressed a rally in front of Gandhi's statue here.

Mr Mukherjee, however, avoided answering questions on Nandigram and the role of the state Government in response to questions from reporters.

He also did not mention about acquisition of farm land for industialisation in the state during addressing the rally.

However, Mr Singh strongly criticised the Left Front government's role on land acquisition. " I had been to Nandigram personally. I strongly criticise the way in which the notice for acquiring farmer's land was issued there. No land should be taken from poor peasants without arranging their rehabilitation and employment".

Mr Singh commented.

UNI