Pranab welcomes Trinamool decision

Kolkata, July 17 (IANS) Within minutes of the Trinamool Congress Tuesday deciding to support his presidential bid, ruling United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee welcomed the announcement made by Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee.

"I welcome her decision. I welcome the decision taken by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee," Mukherjee told a television channel.

He refused to say anything further.

Mukherjee's comment came after Banerjee, who had been opposing his bid for the top post so long, did a volte face and announced that her party would vote for him in the July 19 poll.

Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmed, who is in charge of the party's affairs in West Bengal, also welcomed the Trinamool decision by stating that it would not have been good if Trinamool had voted against Mukherjee or abstained from the presidential poll.

"We all welcome Mamata-di's decision. We are very happy. It would not have looked good if Trinamool being an alliance partner of the UPA, would have abstained or had voted against Pranab-da," Ahmed said.