New Delhi: The Congress on 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 her (Mamata). 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 APJ 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 per cent of votes of the electoral college while Sangma has 31.7 per cent. (IANS)