"We are disappointed to hear that the TMC is going to support Pranab Mukherjee. We understand that TMC is a part of the government but Mamata Banerjee was one of the first ones to raise her voice against the policies of the anti-people, corrupt UPA alliance -- be it the NCTC, fuel price hike or FDI in retail," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.
After keeping its
card close to its chest for weeks, the TMC on Tuesday announced that it will vote for Mukherjee. The decision ended the suspense over its stand and also dashed the hopes of opposition-backed candidate P A Sangma of getting TMC support.
Sangma had met Banerjee sometime back to seek her party's support but had got no assurance from her. "Under what compulsion has she supported the UPA candidate? Was all this just posturing when Mamata spoke against the uncaring and insensitive policies of the UPA government and has now taken a U-turn? Is she now indifferent to the cause of the common people," Sitharaman asked.
"Mamata has hesitated to strike for some reason," she added.
