From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Despite confusing signals from the BJP-led NDA and withdrawal of former President APJ Abdul Kalam from the Presidential race, ‘tribal candidate’ Purno A Sangma continues to be in the race pitted against a formidable challenger in UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
Sangma, on Monday, maintained that he is in the race as the national nominee of the tribals and propped up by two powerful regional parties – the AIDMK of Tamil Nadu and Biju Janata Dal of Odisha.
He also sidelined the oblique threat from his party, the NCP, which is meeting on Wednesday on this issue.
“I am in the race,” Purno reiterated to newsmen at his residence.
“There is a long time to go and nomination process has not even picked up,” he said to the waiting journalists.
The former Speaker is in touch with several other leaders to garner their vital support. It is expected that the BJP-led NDA will take some decision on the issue on Tuesday which will clear the existing confusion.
But like UPA, NDA too has faced revolt with Shiv Sena boycotting its meetings and JD(U) Bihar Unit taking a different stand though indirectly.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was pushing for Kalam’s candidature, has also not open her cards till now.