Farooq Abdullah supports another term for Ansari as Vice President

New Delhi, July 14 (ANI): New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah, on Saturday, extended his support to the Congress-backed Vice Presidential nominee Hamid Ansari.

Addressing mediapersons here, Abdullah said he is optimistic that Ansari, who is currently the Vice President of the country, would work for its welfare if he gets elected for the second term.

"I have already said that we support him and we feel that he is a noble man," he said.

On Mamata Banerjee's alleged displeasure over Ansari's candidature, Abdullah said, "Everyone is free to propose names but the question is that who gets the maximum support, which only time can tell. UPA-II has suggested Ansari's name and I hope that he wins and does good work for the country."

Railway Minister Mukul Roy, who arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day, said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would inform about the final decision later.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has so far spoken to Janta Dal Secular (JDS) supremo H D Deve Gowda, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, CPM leader Prakash Karat and CPI's A.B. Bardhan to garner support for Mohammad Hamid Ansari for a second term as Vice President.

The last date for nomination for the Vice President election, scheduled for August 7, is July 20.

Ansari's term as Vice President expires on August 10.(ANI)