Presidential poll BJP to back Sangma, Shiv Sena, JD(U) to vote for Pranab, Presidential Election 2012 India News, BJP Supports Sangma as Presidential Candidate

June 21 2012 NEW DELHI: BJP looks set to sponsor former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma against finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential election, disregarding protests of allies JD(U) and Shiv Sena, who have decided to vote for the veteran Congressman, in the July 19 contest.

BJP on Thursday is likely to declare support for Sangma, who resigned from NCP on Wednesday, a move intended to signal his resolve to stay put as a presidential nominee. Indications are that a formal declaration by JD(U) of its decision to support Mukherjee will follow soon. Shiv Sena leaders said the party will not change its views.

BJP is not overly enthused with Sangma, but with former president A P J Abdul Kalam refusing to contest, the party feels it can close ranks with potential allies like BJD and AIADMK leaders Naveen Patnaik and J Jayalalithaa, who were the first to back Sangma. BJP is also clear that it will not support a Congress candidate.

With former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma determined to go ahead in the Presidential race, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa today said other political parties should come forward to back Sangma's candidature.

Various leaders had been in touch with her, some of whom had tried to enlist her support for former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who has decided to opt out, she said.

"I welcome other parties coming forward to support Sangma, but let them make the announcement first and I will be happy if they do that," the chief minister said.

There was no change in her party's stand to back Sangma, which she had announced last month, the AIADMK supremo told reporters.