Sangma remain in Prezpoll race

Strong reservations from key ally JD-U over pitting a candidate against UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday forced the NDA to defer its decision on the Presidential election.

At a two-hour inconclusive meeting of the NDA, the JD-U is believed to have disavowed a fight against Mukherjee because of his stature but BJP is said to have been keen on backing former Speaker P A Sangma, who has been propped up by BJD and AIADMK with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
BJP leaders including Advani and Sushma Swaraj are understood to have argued that Mukherjee should not go uncontested, especially in view of the Lok Sabha polls due two years hence.
The BJP is said to be keen on supporting Sangma so that the alliance could rope in parties like BJD and AIADMK that could be valuable in the next Lok Sabha elections.  NDA convener Sharad Yadav merely said more discussions were needed to arrive at a right decision."The NDA meeting took place today. Various leaders put forth their views in detail. More discussions are required in this regard to arrive at the right decision."
"L K Advani will talk to Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states and all others. NDA will meet sometime later again to take a decision in this regard. Those outside (Delhi) will also be consulted," Tadav told reporters after the meeting.

 NDA in its meet to decide to go  for Sangma as it may help it win back allies like AIADMK and BJD who were earlier part of the coalition.But Akalidal and JD U support Pranab and thus precarious position for NDA to take fast decision in this regards,more independent are to plunge one such candidate is   Ram Jethmalani offered to contest leveling charges on UPA candidate Pranab for not disclosing name of  persons who have stashed black money abroad.NDA  meet to resolve coalition differences over their presidential nominee. Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief Mamata Banerjee refuses to lend her support to possible NDA nominee PA Sangma.

 Making it clear that it is firmly behind UPA candidate in the Presidential race, NCP has told former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma not to press for his candidature in the polls.The advice was given to Sangma by party general secretary D P Triparthi under instructions from party chief Sharad Pawar. After meeting Sangma, Tripathi said, "I went to him (Sangma) and told him that the party will support UPA candidate in the presidential race". The development came a day after Pawar met Sonia Gandhi and amid indications that the presidential election could become a keen affair with Mamata Banerjee pitching for A P J Abdul Kalam. 

Sangma had on Thursday said he remained a candidate for the post of the president and was in touch with all political parties to garner support. "I am in the race, that is important. Since I am in the race, I do not like to comment on other candidates," he said and added there was nothing wrong in names being suggested for the post of President. Sangma had also said he had been given to understand that NDA would discuss his candidature. His candidature is being sponsored by AIADMK and the BJD. Ignoring advice from his party, NCP leader P A Sangma on Friday said he continues to be in the fray for the Presidential election as a tribal candidate. "I am in the fray as a tribal candidate, not as a NCP candidate," Sangma, a former Lok Sabha Speaker, told reporters in New Delhi. Sangma pointed out that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had proposed his name as a candidate for the Presidential poll. Asked about A P J Kalam's candidature, the NCP leader said that he felt that the former President will not enter the fray. "Kalam has been President once. He will not take such a risk," Sangma said.NCP General Secretary D P Tripathi on Friday met Sangma and told him that the party will support the UPA candidate in the Presidential poll, suggesting that he opt out of the race. The development came a day after NCP leader Sharad Pawar met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and amid indications that the Presidential election could become a keen affair with TMC leader Mamata Banerjee pitching for Kalam