Kolkata, June 18: A day after supporting APJ Abdul Kalam as the presidential candidate on Facebook, Mamata Banerjee on Sunday raised her voice against "corruption and back-room dealings" on the social networking site. Her latest post on Facebook hinted that the last two days' hectic political activities over presidential poll had something to do with "money, power and scams".
The Trinamool Congress chief thanked people for their response to her first FB post and wrote: "I'm sure this united voice will take public issues to the next level." She asked people "to raise their voices and fight against corruption and back-room dealings".
Her posts suggest that Mamata is now using the social networking site to reach out to a larger constituency and stress on a "conspiracy theory" that there is something more other than politics that played a role in Mulayam Singh Yadav's decision to endorse Pranab Mukherjee's candidature.
"It is most unfortunate that politics in our great nation has become murky and values, public interest have been compromised through the use of money, power and scams. Ethical and principled politics has eroded today... this decay has to be reversed at all costs to return to the great traditions of this country. That is why we should raise our voices and stand by principles. Conviction, values and integrity," wrote Mamata.
Trinamool leaders said soon after Pranab's nomination by the UPA, rumours started doing the rounds that Kalam would withdraw his candidature. "We are in touch with APJ Abdul Kalam. He hasn't taken any decision yet," said a senior Trinamool leader.
Another Trinamool leader said regional political considerations and business interests played a key role in the SP's U-turn. "Mulayam returned to Lucknow and endorsed Pranab's candidature," he pointed out.
Union MoS for tourism Sultan Ahmed said, "Business houses are calling the shots. In the name of SEZ, natural resources have been handed over to corporate houses. But who pays for the profits amassed by the top 50 business houses? Didi has always championed the cause of the poor."
The Trinamool chief had written on Saturday: "Trinamool is a small party. We are not a big party with none of the resources others possess. We are led by truth and conviction. All through my life I have stood by my principles. I stand by the position I have taken."
Another Trinamool leader said, "Contrary to what is being said, former speaker P A Sangma had called Mamata on Friday after Pranab's candidature was announced. Sangma had told her that since Kalam opted out of the race Mamata should support her. Didi told him clearly that Kalam would be her choice and he should withdraw if Kalam finally contested."
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