Pranab win possible only with Sena, JD(U), support: Thackeray

Mumbai, Jun 30 (PTI): The victory of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential poll is “certain” only because of the support of Shiv Sena and Janata Dal (United), Sena chief Bal Thackeray said here on Saturday.

“Neither Mukherjee nor P A Sangma have the ability to get elected on their own, on their party strength alone. That is why, the poll is being contested on borrowed support,” Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece “Saamana”.

“When Pranab went to file nominations, he was accompanied by Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Mulayam Yadav, Lalu Prasad, Ramvilas Paswan, T R Balu. But the maths isn't that just because these people are with him, he will win and go to Rashtrapati Bhawan. His victory is certain only because of the open-hearted support given by Shiv Sena and JD (U),” Thackeray said.

Stating that the Sena and JD(U) decided to support Mukherjee as he was a veteran and an administrator with balanced outlook, Thackeray said that Mukheree's occupying the Rashtrapati Bhawan would only benefit the country, instead of causing any loss.

“Keeping in mind the present unstable scenario (in the country) and the chaos, anarchy in future, we decided to support Pranab as we are confident that only he can overcome the situation and has the ability to take the right decisions,” Thackeray said.

“Pranab may not be a “missile man” but his vast experience is no less than any nuclear bomb. Anyway, despite us having the nuclear bomb, Afzal Guru did attack Parliament.. Now Pranab babu should be given the opportunity to tighten the hangman's noose around Afzal's neck,” he said.

Pranab Mukherjee was deliberately kept away from the posts of PM and President as he was not subservient, he said.

“Mukherjee is a super power in the Manmohan Singh government and it is going to become a lame duck because he is going to the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

 That is why Opposition parties should be the most happy ones about it,” Thackeray said.

“Mukherjee has snapped ties with Congress. He is the presidential candidate and he can win. Our support is limited only to him,” Thackeray said.

India is likely to see acceleration in economic reforms over the next quarter, and it is the right time to invest in the country as valuations have become reasonable, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) President Adi Godrej has said.

The industry is very confident that over the next quarter, “we will see some strong moves in terms of reforms to accelerate growth”, Godrej said at the Confederation of Indian Industry's Annual Reception in London on Friday night.

He said the industry has been in dialogue with the government to suggest policy changes that would reignite the process of investment and growth.

Among CII's recommendations are easing of monetary policy, faster implementation of infrastructure projects and control on subsidies.

Godrej said this would be a good time to invest in India, given that valuations have become extremely reasonable.

This week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took additional charge of the Finance Ministry after Pranab Mukherjee resigned to contest presidential elections.

Pushed by Singh after he took charge of the Ministry, his top advisors, including Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and bureaucrats have started working overtime to deal with economic slowdown and low investor sentiment.

Meanwhile, signalling the increasing importance the UK attaches to India, British Minister for Energy and Climate Change Gregory Barker has been given additional responsibility for increasing trade and investment with India.

Barker himself made the announcement at the reception.

I have been given additional responsibility for India by the Prime Minister, David Cameron and am delighted to be making this official announcement here on Saturday,” Barker said.

He will work along with his colleagues Jeremy Brown, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and Lord Green, Minister for Trade.

The move shows the importance that UK gives to India, with three Ministers in the Government having responsibility of increasing bilateral trade and investment relations.

The announcement was received by thunderous applause in the historic Banqueting House, packed to capacity with guests including Ministers, MPs, Lords and Ladies, senior UK Government officials and Chief Executives of a large number of UK, Global and Indian companies.

Earlier in the day, CII in partnership with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) organised its Annual Conference on “India-UK Partnerships in Reviving and Restoring Economic Growth”.

The CII delegation also met UK Chancellor George Osborne, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Home Affairs Select Committee Chairman Keith Vaz