Jangipur:
It should have been a reason to celebrate - for the first time, a leader from the state is in the fray to be the President of India. But UPA's presidential candidate
Pranab Mukherjee is not a very popular man in his own backyard - his Lok Sabha constituency Jangipur in Murshidabad district of West Bengal.
As soon as the numbers gathered up heavily in favour of Mr Mukherjee's chances to win the polls, which is slated to take place on July 19, NDTV travelled to his constituency, with hopes to see grand celebrations being planned for an anticipated win. In his 43 years of political career, Pranab Mukherjee has been contesting in Lok Sabha polls from Jangipur since last eight years only. Bu it seemed that he has not been able to win over voters here.
Local tea stalls, a favourite place for the people of the state to debate any topic, are abuzz with the possibility that a Bengali has a very good chance to be the first from his community to reside at the Raisina Hills. But no one sounded excited about the prospect. They claim, Mr Mukherjee has not done anything for the people of his constituency.
"If he becomes the President we do not have any expectations. Because when we voted him to Lok Sabha he did not deliver at all," said one of the residents. "He is an MP from this constituency, but has he done anything to ensure job to a single unemployed educated young person from here?" asked another at the tea stall.
Keeping the pride aspect aside, people in Jangipur are quite indifferent about Mr Mukherjee, who is alleged of not visiting his own constituency too often. Sukumar Sen, a retired teacher in the town, made his feelings very clear. "Pranab babu has done nothing for us. What he has done for those paltry few have gone from being rich to richer, but poor have become poorer. We are proud as Bengali that he may become a President, but the Indian Constitution calls the President as a magnificent cipher isn't it?"
The local Congress office is trying its best to paint a picture that is far from the reality. Akhrud Zaman, a local Congress member, claimed, "The emotion is so strong that people have been praying in temples, mosques and churches. Not just as residents but as an Indian we are proud that our MP is going to become the President."
On Friday, the UPA declared Pranab Mukherjee as its candidate for President of India after a meeting at the Prime Minister's house. Mr Mukherjee is expected to resign from the Finance Ministry on June 24 after the Prime Minister returns from the G-20 summit in Mexico.