Prez poll: Agatha appeals tribal MPs, MLAs to back Sangma

Imphal, Jun 25: Union minister Agatha Sangma on Monday said it would be a "welcome gesture" if tribal MPs and MLAs voted for her father

in the Jul 19 Presidential election.

"I would say that is up to them. It would be a welcome gesture. As a tribal, it would be a welcome gesture," Agatha told reporters here when repeatedly asked whether she felt all tribal MPs and MLAs should vote for her father.

The spectacular minister, Agatha was, however, guarded in her response on a number of questions related to Sangma's candidature and made it clear to reporters that she was here to participate in a meeting of tribals and they should limit their questions to it.

"I believe every Parliamentarian or every MLA has the right to choose who they want to vote for," she said.

Agatha, who is Minister of State for Rural Development, said the Opposition's presidential nominee is a "man of integrity".

"Lot of leaders from the BJP as also from the AIADMK and the BJD have supported Mr Sangma not only because he is a tribal and represents the minority community but because they see him to be somebody who has delivered and somebody who has been a very prominent Speaker, an effective Union Minister and Chief Minister and somebody they respect as a man of integrity.

"These are reasons why all parties have supported him," she added.

PTI