Pranab Mukherjee hopeful of support from Mamata

Notwithstanding the current chill in ties between them, United Progressive Alliance's presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee expressed the hope that Trinamool Congress would take a positive decision in his favour.

"Mamata Banerjee has said that she would take a decision on the issue of support to presidential candidate 3-4 days before the election. I am hopeful that she will take a decision in my favour," Mukherjee told reporters as he arrived in Uttarakhand on a day's visit to drum up support as part of his campaign for the July 19 presidential polls.

On Monday, Mukherjee was in his home state of Bengal where he did his campaign. There was no contact with Banerjee but Mukherjee said he will talk to her when she is ready.

On being asked as to how he assesses the candidature of his opponent P A Sangma, Mukherjee refused to comment.

To a question on the appointment of a new finance minister, he said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi would decide the issue.

Mukherjee said he cannot give any hot or soft news at this juncture as he has already resigned as finance minister.

"Today I can't speak as I am supported by a number of parties and I have already resigned as finance minister," he said.

He said he has got lot of cooperation from the media during his five decades of active life in politics.

Earlier, Mukherjee met a number of senior state Congress leaders, including chief minister Vijay Bahuguna and MPs and MLAs to drum up support.

Mukherjee also met leaders of coalition partners of the Congress-led government like BSP and UKD.