Mamata Banerjee not likely to attend Opposition's meeting to finalise Presidential candidate tomorrow

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee is not likely to attend the Opposition's meeting on June 21 to finalise the presidential candidate. Party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee is likely to attend the meeting instead.

Abhishek Banerjee is scheduled to attend a day-long campaign programme in Tripura on Monday, ahead of the by-polls, including a public rally in the evening. He will then proceed to Delhi to attend the Opposition meet, which will be convened by NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Trinamool sources told ET.

It is learnt that the Trinamool leadership is displeased at the way they have been invited to the meeting without making any reference to Banerjee, who had convened the first meeting at the Constitutional Club in New Delhi, sources said.


Last week, the Opposition parties had proposed the name of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. However, Pawar declined the proposal, following which the Opposition decided to field a single candidate for the Presidential post. On Saturday, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah declined the proposal to be the candidate. Abdullah had thanked Mamata Banerjee for proposing his name, but stated that Jammu and Kashmir was at a critical juncture and his services were needed there.

"I am honoured to have had my name proposed as a possible joint opposition candidate for the office of President of India by Mamata Banerjee Sahiba. Subsequent to Mamata Didi proposing my name, I have received a number of calls from opposition leaders offering their support for my candidature," Abdullah had said.

Abdullah said that he would support the joint opposition consensus candidate. "I have taken a few days to discuss this unexpected development with my family and senior colleagues. I am deeply touched by the support that I've received and honoured to have been considered for the highest office in the country. I believe that Jammu & Kashmir is passing through a critical juncture and my efforts are required to help navigate these uncertain times. I have a lot more active politics ahead of me and look forward to making a positive contribution in the service of J&K and the country," Abdullah said in the statement.