Pranab seeks support of TMC, others

Seeking to broaden his support base in the electoral college, UPA presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday appealed to political parties, including Trinamool Congress, to back his candidature.

Seeking to broaden his support base in the electoral college, UPA presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday appealed to political parties, including Trinamool Congress, to back his candidature.

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“I am appealing to all those who have not yet decided to take decision in my favour, in favour of the UPA,” Mukherjee said.

He expressed gratitude to partners of UPA, Samajwadi Party and BSP, which support the UPA from outside, and CPM, Forward Block, JD(U) and Shiv Sena for supporting his candidature.

Meanwhile, in an interview to a television channel, the presidential hopeful exhorted the younger generation to take an active part in politics. Replying to a question on the vacuum created by his exit from active politics, he said: “I would like to recommend that the older generations should make room for the younger generations to come and play their due role.”

Fire in jubilee hall

A minor fire broke out in the Jubilee Hall, part of the present legislature complex, barely minutes after Pranab Mukherjee left the place after addressing Congress leaders.

Smoke was seen billowing from the rooftop of the building. The staff, suspecting that the fire was due to a short circuit, switched off the power. A few legislators, who were still inside, made a hasty exit. Fire engines were rushed to the site to douse the flames.