Presidential race: Sangma quits NCP, likely to get NDA support

Defiant contender for Presidential election , P A Sangma, has resigned from his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and will get the support of NDA in the election, Subramanian Swamy announced on Wednesday.

The NDA will meet this evening to officially announce its support for Sangma and will try to build a consensus for him, said Swamy, who joined NDA months ago.

"The NCP and the Congress party tried to humiliate Sangma. He resigned on the ground that his self respect has to be protected," said Swamy.

Sangma had announced his candidacy for the presidency against the NCP's wishes and resigned a day before the party holds a crucial meeting. NCP chief Sharad Pawar had asked Sangma to quit the race as the party, an ally of the Congress-led UPA, has announced backing for Pranab. Pranab Mukherjee has a clear lead in the elections and is all set to be elected as the 13th President of India.

The NDA is split in the elections with the Shiv Sena announcing its support for Pranab Mukherjee. Despite holding meeting of all NDA leaders, the BJP has been unable to zero in on a candidate to challenge the UPA nominee. BJP does not want to let Pranab win unchallenged.

The party also has 2014 Lok Sabha elections in mind as Sangma is the choice of AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa and Odisha CM and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik. Backing their nominee would mean a chance to expand the NDA to include the two parties as they are not part of any political combine at present.

- Asian Tribune -

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