Mamata like my sister: Pranab

"I also seek the support of Mamata Banerjee because she is like my sister...a valued colleague," Mukherjee told reporters when asked whether his appeal to political parties to back his candidature included Banerjee`s Trinamool Congress.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) V Narayanasamy, who met Mukherjee at his office, said "my appeal to Mamata Banerjee is to give her support to Pranab Mukherjee. I hope she will support."

"With the support extended by all parties, a good victory is a foregone conclusion", he said, adding "according to me, before filing of nomination papers, he (Mukherjee) will resign. The nomination papers will be filed after the PM returns (from foreign tour)."

Earlier in the day, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi named Mukherjee as UPA`s nominee in the Presidential elections at a meeting of the ruling alliance here.