Congress rejects Sangma debate appeal
23 Jun 2012 1:23 PM GMT
The Congress Friday rejected presidential nominee PA Sangma's demand for a debate with United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate Pranab Mukherjee even as Team Anna sought a probe into allegations against the finance minister.
Party spokesperson Manish Tewari said the president was not supposed to be managing the economy of the country. He also hoped that parties not supporting Mukherjee will revisit their position.
‘[Election to the office of] president of India is not contested to run the economy. Therefore, the suggestion for the debate is non-sequitur and non-starter,’ Tewari told reporters.
Sangma alleged earlier he wanted to debate with Mukherjee as the Indian economy was in a bad shape. ‘Democracy means debate... I am asking for debate.’
He also expressed confidence he would get the support of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.
‘I am constantly in touch with [Mamata Banerjee]. I am going to meet her in the next couple of days. I am very much hopeful of her support,’ he said.
Banerjee is yet to clarify her stand on the presidential election after former president A P J Abdul Kalam, whom she proposed, declined to join the fray.
With numbers evidently favouring Mukherjee, Sangma is pinning hopes on conscience vote.
‘The election is governed by article 55 [of the Constitution] and it clearly says that the election should be by a secret ballot. The question of numbers does not arise at all at this stage,’ he said.
Sangma said there was a split in almost all political parties and it was a proof that the election was being taken seriously.
Describing Mukherjee as a ‘great friend’ and his ‘guru’ [teacher] for whom he has a ‘lot of respect’, Sangma, however, said the veteran Congress leader could not pay much attention to West Bengal.
Sangma said he would reach out to all Congress chief ministers, MPs and legislators from the northeast. ‘It is a question of northeast's pride and not a question of party affiliations.’
Sangma said his victory would be a ‘big message’ to ‘more than 100 million tribals’ in the country and suggested that it could help redress Maoist and insurgency issues.
Going by figures, Mukherjee commands 56.17 percent of votes of the electoral college while Sangma has 31.7 percent.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday announced its support to Sangma but its two major allies, the Shiv Sena and Janata Dal-United, said they will vote for Mukherjee.
PRANAB APPEALS TO UNDECIDED PARTIES
Union Finance Minister and United Progressive Alliance presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived at Kolkata on Friday night to a tumultuous welcome, appealed to parties who are yet to announce their decision to support him in the elections.
Mukherjee is pitted against Purno Sangma, who has the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents, as also the AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal. ‘I urge those parties who are yet to announce their decision to support me,’ Mukherjee said outside his residence in South Kolkata's Dhakuria.
The Trinamool Congress, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is yet to announce its stand on the presidential choice after its preferred candidate, former president A P J Abdul Kalam, declined to contest.
Mukherjee thanked parties like the Janata Dal-United, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party for supporting him.
‘Several parties including JD-U, SP and BSP have assured of their support to my candidature. I thank them for their support,’ he said.
Mukherjee, who flew into the city airport at 8.40 p.m., was received by about 2,500-3,000 Congress workers with bouquets and garlands. He is scheduled to leave for his village Mirati in Birbhum district where he would attend a puja ceremony in his ancestral home. He will also seek blessings from elder sister Annapurna, who lives in Parota village neighbouring Mirati.
Party spokesperson Manish Tewari said the president was not supposed to be managing the economy of the country. He also hoped that parties not supporting Mukherjee will revisit their position.
‘[Election to the office of] president of India is not contested to run the economy. Therefore, the suggestion for the debate is non-sequitur and non-starter,’ Tewari told reporters.
Sangma alleged earlier he wanted to debate with Mukherjee as the Indian economy was in a bad shape. ‘Democracy means debate... I am asking for debate.’
He also expressed confidence he would get the support of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.
‘I am constantly in touch with [Mamata Banerjee]. I am going to meet her in the next couple of days. I am very much hopeful of her support,’ he said.
Banerjee is yet to clarify her stand on the presidential election after former president A P J Abdul Kalam, whom she proposed, declined to join the fray.
With numbers evidently favouring Mukherjee, Sangma is pinning hopes on conscience vote.
‘The election is governed by article 55 [of the Constitution] and it clearly says that the election should be by a secret ballot. The question of numbers does not arise at all at this stage,’ he said.
Sangma said there was a split in almost all political parties and it was a proof that the election was being taken seriously.
Describing Mukherjee as a ‘great friend’ and his ‘guru’ [teacher] for whom he has a ‘lot of respect’, Sangma, however, said the veteran Congress leader could not pay much attention to West Bengal.
Sangma said he would reach out to all Congress chief ministers, MPs and legislators from the northeast. ‘It is a question of northeast's pride and not a question of party affiliations.’
Sangma said his victory would be a ‘big message’ to ‘more than 100 million tribals’ in the country and suggested that it could help redress Maoist and insurgency issues.
Going by figures, Mukherjee commands 56.17 percent of votes of the electoral college while Sangma has 31.7 percent.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday announced its support to Sangma but its two major allies, the Shiv Sena and Janata Dal-United, said they will vote for Mukherjee.
PRANAB APPEALS TO UNDECIDED PARTIES
Union Finance Minister and United Progressive Alliance presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee, who arrived at Kolkata on Friday night to a tumultuous welcome, appealed to parties who are yet to announce their decision to support him in the elections.
Mukherjee is pitted against Purno Sangma, who has the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents, as also the AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal. ‘I urge those parties who are yet to announce their decision to support me,’ Mukherjee said outside his residence in South Kolkata's Dhakuria.
The Trinamool Congress, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is yet to announce its stand on the presidential choice after its preferred candidate, former president A P J Abdul Kalam, declined to contest.
Mukherjee thanked parties like the Janata Dal-United, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party for supporting him.
‘Several parties including JD-U, SP and BSP have assured of their support to my candidature. I thank them for their support,’ he said.
Mukherjee, who flew into the city airport at 8.40 p.m., was received by about 2,500-3,000 Congress workers with bouquets and garlands. He is scheduled to leave for his village Mirati in Birbhum district where he would attend a puja ceremony in his ancestral home. He will also seek blessings from elder sister Annapurna, who lives in Parota village neighbouring Mirati.
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