Trinamool to abstain from voting in Presidential election

Kolkata, July 18 (UNI) Ending speculation, NDA partner Trinamool Congress today decided to abstain from voting in tomorrow's Presidential election.

Announcing the decision after the party's executive committee meeting at her residence, Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee said the decision had been taken in protest against President A P J Abdul Kalam not being considered for the second term.

''The people of the country wanted Dr Kalam to be the President for the second term. But unfortunately Presidential election in our country is held on the basis of number games. As a silent protest against this, we are not taking part in the election, '' she told mediapersons.

Ms Banerjee said she had raised the demand for considering Dr Kalam as the candidate at the NDA meeting, but it was not accepted.

The party has 30 Legislators in the West Bengal Assembly, one member in the Lok Sabha and three in the Rajya Sabha.

However, with Mr Sadhan Pande, the suspedned party MLA, deciding to vote in favour of UPA-Left candidate Pratibha Patil, the Trinamool Congress has an electoral strength of 33.

UNI