Prez poll: Sangma rings up Mamata for support,told to withdraw if Kalam contests

The TMC chief also asked Sangma to withdraw from the race if Kalam,whom she wants to join the fray,agreed to contest,Ghose said.

On Friday,Mamata wrote on Facebook in support of Kalam’s candidature: “I gave voice to what millions of Indians want to see in a President. My party is a small party. We are not a big party with none of the resources others possess. We are led by truth and conviction.”

She further wrote,“He is a seeker of truth,a fount of knowledge and an impartial voice of reason and sanity,who is above narrow politics. He is the kind of man all our citizens aspire to make President.”

“As a candidate of the Tribal Forum,I have gone across to political parties,appealing for support,” Sangma said,adding that,“It is very clear that I am not an NCP candidate.”

On whether he is prepared for any action taken by his party against him,he said,“Sharad Pawar (NCP Chief) is saying that he will appeal to me to withdraw. I can tell you that I will appeal to him to support me.”

On the NDA meeting today,which remained inconclusive,he said,“There have been little differences which is quite natural in a democracy. They (NDA members) are still to sort out a few things. They have to consult chief ministers.”