Mahasweta Devi roots for Pranab Mukherjee as next President

Kolkata, Jun 14: Noted writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi, who had been a strong supporter of Trinamool chief

before their relations strained, today said she would be happy to see

as the next President of the country.

"I will be happy if Pranab Mukherjee becomes the next President and I think that the country can repose confidence in him," the Magsaysay award winner told PTI.

Asked to comment on the Trinamool Congress chief's rejection of Mukherjee as the UPA presidential nominee, the 86-year-old writer said, "I don't want to comment. Everybody has the right to give his or her opinion."

She said, "Pranab Mukherjee is known to me for many years. He is very alert and I want to see him as the next President." Devi had called the Mamata Banerjee government "fascist" when a human rights group was denied permission to hold a rally in the metropolis some time ago.

PTI