By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: National People’s Party (NPP) president Purno A Sangma, who lost the July Presidential election to Pranab Mukherjee, remains steadfast in his assertion that President Pranab Mukherjee had not resigned as Member of Parliament when he had filed his nomination for the Presidential poll.
Sangma has already challenged Mukherjee’s election as President, claiming that the former Finance Minister was not eligible to contest the poll as his resignation as Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata was not valid.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday after the formal merger of the State NCP unit with the NPP, Sangma said, “On the day of scrutiny of the nomination papers, Mukherjee continued to hold the office of profit.”
Sangma said as per Section 4 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, a member of the Assembly, Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha loses his membership if he voluntarily leaves his original party.
He further stated that Mukherjee did not resign as MP and he voted for himself which is not allowed.
The veteran leader has sought guidance from the Supreme Court to amend the People’s Representation Act where it should have code of conduct for holding the Presidential elections.
“There should be a limit of expenditure and oath of allegiance which is missing,” he added.
