Pranab has resigned as chairman: Rabindra Bharati Society

He said that it was not an office of profit.

The Rabindra Bharati Society’s clarification came hours after Presidential candidate P A Sangma filed a complaint with the Election Commission that Mukherjee still held the post of chairman even after filing nomination for the Presidential election.

Sangma alleged that Mukherjee held two offices of profit,one of which is that of the chairman of Kolkata-based Rabindra Bharati Society.

Pointing out that the post of chairman of the body is an honorary one,Sil said,”This is a completely apolitical post. Mukherjee was made the chairman in April 2008 as an educationist and not by virtue of being a politician or a minister.”

He also said that the former Union Finance Minister was not paid in lieu of his services.

Founded in 1947,Rabindra Bharati Society organises cultural programmes on dance,drama and music in memory of Rabindranath Tagore.

Sangma draws flak of organisation working for disabled

An organisation working for disabled persons today took objections to Opposition-backed Presidential candidate P A Sangma’s comments that “India should have a President,who is not blind,dumb and deaf.”

“It reflects very poorly on a candidate who is aspiring to the topmost office of the country,” the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled said in a statement.

Sangma had told reporters in Ahmedabad yesterday that “India should have a President,who is not blind,dumb and deaf. India should have a thinking and a functional President.”

The organisation also sought an apology from Sangma for his “insulting” remarks.

“It is unbecoming of a person contesting to become the first citizen of the country to express such insensitivity and callousness,even while lashing out at his rival. In a sweeping remark,the presidential aspirant has deemed persons with disabilities as being unfit to hold the office of the President,” the statement said.

CPI(M)’s decision to support Pranab correct: Buddhadeb

CPI(M) leader and former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said his party’s decision to support UPA’s presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee is correct in the backdrop of the current political situation.

“Our party’s support to UPA’s presidential candidate is not new. In the past when Indira Gandhi had wanted us to support her party’s nominee V V Giri in the presidential election in the greater political interest,we did so despite sharp difference with her policies,” Bhattacharjee told a party convention at Dum Dum.

He,however,said CPI(M)’s support to Mukherjee’s candidature did not mean that its fight against Congress’ economic policy and other policies would cease.

Bhattacharjee said BJP’s support to P A Sangma’s presidential candidature “is a matter of political danger”.

The former chief minister said the Presidential election issue had set off a tussle between Congress and ally Trinamool Congress.

Prez post vital during complicated political situations: Pranab

UPA presidential candidate Pranab Mukhejee on Saturday said although the President holds a constitutional post,he plays a very vital role during complicated political situations. “I am going to begin a new innings after ending five decade old political career and as a senior most parliamentarian. Though the post is virtually the constitutional head of the country,it plays a very vital role during complicated political situations,” he told reporters. Quoting Rabindranath Tagore,Mukherjee said,“In politics

I have gained much more than what I gave.” On touring the North Eastern region from where another presidential candidate P A Sangma hailed,Mukherjee said,“I will not comment on any presidential candidate. I am overwhelmed by the love,affection and friendship shown by the legislators from the North Eastern region.”

Asked if he would meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,he refused to comment.

Mukherjee said he had started his tour from June 30 to garner support for him in the presidential poll and has already covered the southern region,the northeastern region,Uttar Pradesh,Haryana and Gujarat.

The ruling CPI-M in Tripura,opposition Congress and it’s ally Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura have announced their support to him in the presidential elections.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said it was for the first time that any presidential candidate has visited Tripura and interacted with the legislators.

“I have invited Mukherjee to visit Tripura first after assuming the office of the President,” he said.

Pranab made prez candidate to get rid of him : Shahnawaz Hussain

Kolkata: Pranab Mukherjee was made the UPA Presidential candidate not as a reward,but to get rid of him as he was a burden in financial management,BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain alleged on Saturday.

“His nomination for the post of President is not a reward for his performance,but for his non-performance,” Hussain told reporters.

“Congress is celebrating that Pranab is no more the finance minister. They are reversing the decisions taken by him. He was not an asset,but a burden in financial management and to get rid of him he has been made the candidate,” he claimed.

On CPI(M)’s support to Mukherjee’s candidature,Hussain said the Congress has always close to the Communists.

“Congress and the CPI(M) have always been together. They disagreed only on the nuclear deal. Even Pranab Mukherjee has old relations with the CPI(M). The two parties are like brothers in Delhi,” Hussain said.

On the controversy over Mukherjee’s resignation as ISI chairman,he said his party would take the issue further.

Stating that his party was not consulted on the presidential candidate,the BJP leader said the Congress should not expect any support from them now.

He also questioned Home Minister P Chidambaram’s statement raising concern on political clashes in West Bengal saying that the issue was raised suddenly.

“The BJP wants to know from him whether he is serious about the issue or the statement is a tactic to put pressure on Mamata ahead of the presidential elections,” he said.

On Chidambaram being appointed as the head of a group of ministers (GoM) on spectrum auction,he said said the decision by Congress has not given a good message.

“He has been given relief only by a lower court in the 2G case,but now it is in a higher court,” Hussain said.

Describing BJP as the only opposition party left in West Bengal,the senior BJP leader said,“CPI(M) has still not been able to come out of its past of being the ruling party. They are not playing the role of opposition here.”