Mayawati backs Pranab's candidature for President's job

 BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday announced her party's support to Pranab Mukherjee for the post of President, describing the Finance Minister as a serious and deserving candidate for the top job.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had called me soon after making the announcement asking for my party's support to Mukherjee. On my party's behalf, I have given my full support to him," she told reporters.

She said though she had extended her party's support to Mukherjee's candidature, she did not agree with the UPA government's policies, which, she alleged, were responsible for the serious challenges facing the country on Friday.

Mayawati described Mukherjee as a serious and deserving candidate.

"Our party has at every level considered Pranab Mukherjee a serious and deserving candidate. That is why we have decided to vote for Mukherjee whose candidature was announced by UPA today," she said.