MNF likely to go for Patil

Aizawl, Jul 03 (UNI) Though it is yet to be officially announced, the ruling MNF in all likelihood will go for UPA-Left candidate Pratibha Patil for the country's next President.

''Since the Presidential election is still far, my party has not decided as to which candidate to vote for. However, I don't see any reason why we should go for an NDA candidate. I'm 95 per cent sure that we will support the UPA candidate,'' highly-placed party sources said today.

Meanwhile, lone Rajya Sabha member Lalhmingliana(MNF) also made it clear that he would not vote for Bhairon Singh Sekhawat, if given a choice. ''My party (MNF) is yet to decide on whom to support in the Presidential election and I will abide by the party's decision. But given a free choice, I will not like to give my vote to Shekhawat,'' he said.

Lalhmingliana said the Vice-President and ex-officio chairman of the upper house, had repeatedly shown 'indifference' towards the North East and also towards the MPs from the region.

The MNF had recently snapped ties with NDA saying it would accord issue-based support to any alliance.

Mizoram assembly, with 40 legislators, has a value of eight votes each and the ruling MNF with its supporters has 208 votes.

The total value of votes with the MNF, including the votes of its two MPs, is 1,624.

In the legislature, Congress has nine members. Both Mizoram People's Conference and Zoram Nationalist Party have two MLAs.

UNI