Mamata Banerjee breaks silence on Prez poll, to vote for Pranab

Kolkata -  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a dramatic u-turn after the Trinamool Congress Parliamentary party meeting here on Tuesday, saying she has decided to vote  for UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee in the upcoming presidential election.

"We are unhappy, but we have taken the decision for the sake of people. We had no options, but to vote for Pranab. I have talked to Prime Minister and Pranab Mukherjee on the phone,  Banerjee told the media here.

"There was no option, but to vote for Pranab Mukherjee. If we don't vote, it will be a waste. We wanted Kalam as President, but many people did not want it," she added, while giving a sigh of  relief to Mukherjee, who was keeping a close eye on the Trinamool Congress's decision.

The Trinamool Congress chief further said the decision on the vice presidential election would be taken later.

Banerjee had earlier said that she would take a final call on the presidential election just three days before the polls.

UPA presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee will lock horns with former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma in the Raisina Hill race. The presidential election will be held on Thursday.

Sangma enjoys the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Biju Janata Dal and the AIADMK.