Mukherjee seeks support in northeast

Guwahati, July 6 (IANS) United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee Friday sought the support of leaders of the Congress and other regional parties of the northeastern states for the July 19 election.

Mukherjee arrived here in the morning and held several meetings.

Besides the Congress leaders of Assam, he also met the president of the Assam's main opposition party All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) Badaruddin Ajmal, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Arunachal Pradesh Congress president Mukut Mithi.

Mukherjee is scheduled to visit Tripura Saturday.

"I came to Assam umpteen times in the past and spoke to all of you either on behalf of the government of on party matters. Today, I am here not to speak on behalf of the government or the party. I have resigned from both the government and the party. I am touring the states just to convey my gratitude and thanks to everyone for their cooperation all these years," said Mukherjee while interacting with the reporters.

"Several regional parties in the northeast as well as in other parts of the country extended their support to me as the UPA's presidential candidate and I am thankful to them," he said.

"In India, the president's job is to preserve, protect and defend the constitution and I'll do my best to perform my duty if I get an opportunity," he said.

On UPA constituent Trinamool Congress' support, Mukherjee said: "They are yet to take a decision but I hope they would also extend their support to me as the UPA's candidate."

The UPA's presidential candidate refrained from making any comment on the National Democratic Alliance's presidential candidate and former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma.