By IANS,
New Delhi : Former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma Sunday dismissed reports of backing out of the presidential race and appealed to his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to support him.
A day after NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed confidence that Sangma would abide by the party’s decision, the former Lok Sabha speaker said his candidature had nothing to do with any political party.
“I am still in the race,” Sangma told reporters here. “Sharad Pawar is saying he will appeal to me to withdraw, and I appeal to him to support me,” Sangma said.
He said he was a candidate of the Tribal Forum of India, which had nothing to do with any political party. “I am not an NCP candidate,” he said.
Sangma said he talked to NDA leaders Saturday evening and to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee as well.
“Since the NDA meeting was scheduled for today, I talked to many NDA leaders… They have some differences which is natural in a democracy.
“I talked to Mamata Banerjee day before yesterday. She said she is supporting (A.P.J. Abdul) Kalam. I said Kalam has opted out of the race so you should support me,” Sangma added.