Trinamool to finalise strategy on VP election on Aug 6

A meeting of the Trinamool Congress parliamentary party has been convened in New Delhi on August six to finalise party's stand on the vice-presidential election slated for August seven.

"A meeting of the Trinamool Congress parliamentary party will be held in Delhi on August 6 to take a final call on the vice-presidential election at the instance of chairperson Mamata Banerjee," newly-appointed Chief Whip of the Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien told PTI in Kolkata.

"Be patient till Monday," he said when asked whether the party would take a stand of supporting the United Progressive Alliance nominee Hamid Ansari as in the case of the Presidential election.

Ansari had called up Trinamool Congress supremo last month seeking her support a day before filing of nomination for the vice-president.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also rung up Banerjee last month seeking support for Ansari. Banerjee, the West Bengal chief minister, who had kept up the suspense over supporting UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee till the last minute had announced the support of Trinamool Congress for him two days before the election on July 19.

O' Brien said that all-India General Secretary and Railway Minister Mukul Roy would chair the party meeting. He said that the meeting would also deliberate on the party's strategy for the monsoon session of Parliament beginning August 8.