Trinamool to support Shekhawat, claims Sushma

New Delhi, July 3 (UNI) NDA spokesperson Sushma Swaraj today claimed that Trinamool Congress has promised support to the candidature of Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for Presidency.

Ms Swaraj was replying to a query by newspersons about the Mamata Banerjee-led party's stand in the Presidential polls.

When pointed out that Trinamool leaders were holding meetings with Prime Minister and other ruling alliance leaders, she said, ''Show me a single statement that they (Trinamool Congress) will not support Mr Shekhawat. I have not seen any.'' The Trinamool Congress has, so far, not issued a statement in support of the Vice-President whom the NDA is supporting as an independent candidate.

The party initially proposed the name of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later actively pursued the candidature of President A P J Abdul Kalam. When the President refused to run for a second term, the TMC held rallies in West Bengal urging him to reconsider his stand. The party has two MPs and 45 members in West Bengal Assembly.

NDA partner Shiv Sena has announced to support the UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil.

UNI