BJP backs Sangma for Prez poll

New Delhi, June 21 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday backed former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma for the presidential poll.

Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said the decision to field Sangma against UPA nominee was taken after former President Dr. A.P. Abdul Kalam refused to contest.

"Advaniji talked to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in this regard. Badal has agreed to abide by the decision of the BJP. So, we decided to contest and field a candidate. We had only once choice after Dr. Kalam refused to contest, which is P.A. Sangma," said Swaraj.

"Sangma is a tall leader and the tallest leader of northeast. He had a good term as the speaker, is a political person, and so we decided that P.A. Sangma will be the apt candidate. So, officially on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party we are supporting P.A. Sangma's candidature," she added, while justifying the BJP's choice for the coveted post.

Swaraj also recalled that the BJP had informed Congress leader Sonia Gandhi during the last presidential polls, when it decided to field Dr. Kalam.

"The pre-requisite of consensus is prior consultation. They (Congress Party) should have adopted the prior consultation process for a consensus, which they did not. So, being the main opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, has decided to field a candidate for the presidential poll," she said.

Swaraj, however, said BJP's two allies Shiv Sena and Janata Dal-United are still not in favour of having a candidate to contest the presidential poll.

When asked to comment on the delay in deciding upon a presidential candidate, Swaraj said: "We were trying to bring all the alliance partners on board. We could not do that. And still we are trying, but we thought that the time is appropriate to announce at least on behalf of BJP and Akali Dal. That's why we are announcing it today, there is no delay. Nomination papers will be filed on 30th, there is no delay."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced their support for Sangma last month. Sangma is contesting the presidential poll as a candidate of the Tribal Forum of India.

The presidential elections will be held on July 19. The vote count will take place on July 22.

Pratibha Devisingh Patil's term as President ends on July 24.(ANI)