Purno dodges question on daughter’s vote
Jowai: Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma, the daughter of BJP backed presidential candidate P A Sangma, on Tuesday said it was ‘pointless’ to ask her whether she would vote for her father or UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
“It’s pointless to put me in a tough spot … I, as an MP and a minister know my responsibilities. So far I’ve done my job to the best of my capability and this question should not even arise,” Agatha said on the sidelines of a religious tribal festival near here.
“Having P A Sangma as a contender for the president’s post is something. I, as a daughter, am extremely proud that he is in the race,” she told PTI.
“Winning or losing does not depend on one person, it depends on various factors. Nobody knows what will happen. What we see and hear are speculations,” she said.
The Minister of State for Rural Development said “The tribal communities from the North East region are delighted. It is a matter of pride for all of us.”
Earlier at Panaji, Sangma dodged questions on whom his daughter would vote for in the July 19 election.
“The elections are not held on a party basis. Agatha is a twice-elected parliamentarian, she can take her own decisions,” Sangma told reporters here.
He was in Panaji, as part of his nationwide tour to canvas votes for his presidential campaign.
Agatha continues to be the union minister even after the senior Sangma resigned from NCP over contesting the July 19 election. (Agencies)