Sangma ignores NCP's advice remain in Prez race

 
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