Sangma drags Pranab to Supreme Court; Crucial day for Prez

New Delhi, Nov 1: President

might be tensed as the

will hear his arch rival

's plea on Thursday, Nov 1.

The court will hear Sangma's plea challenging Pranab Mukherjee's potentiality as a candidate for presidential elections.

Sangma had earlier asserted that he would move the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’'s decision to quash the complaint against UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee’'s nomination papers after the elections.

"In consultation with leaders like Ram Jethmalani and Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy, we will move the Supreme Court on the EC’'s ruling after the elections are over," Sangma was quoted as saying ahead of the election which was held on Jul 19.

The controversy arose over Mukherjee's nomination and that he held an office of profit in the capacity of Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) when he filed his nomination.

This matter was highlighted when both Pranab and Sangma were campaigning for the Presidential election but the issue was rejected by the returning officer. The BJP had then rallied behind Sangma and offered their support when the case was taken to the Election Commission (EC). The EC had then directed them to approach Supreme Court and file an election petition in this regard. But, unfortunately this could be done only after the results were declared.

While congratulating the President-elect Pranab Mukherjee on becoming the 13th President of India, Sangma also had alleged that money power was one big factor that sealed the fate for Pranab.

Sangma also lambasted on how unfair practices were employed to swing the votes in Pranab's favour. He stated that elections were not fair and that the country had lost an opportunity to elect a tribal President.

He added, "The process in this Presidential election has been exceptionally partisan and political. The public perception is certainly that in the identification and projection of its candidate, UPA did not genuinely build consensus and that it persuaded political parties commanding major sections of the Presidential Electoral College by economic and other packages...as well as inducements, threats and promises."

On the financial packages doled out to states that ultimately became factors to ensure Pranab's win, Sangma commented, "For election to the Lok Sabha and Assembly, there is a code of conduct for free and fair elections. Such a code of conduct does not exist for Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections...Rs 57,000 crore was given to UP, Rs 27,000 crore to Bihar and so many other things have happened."

Mentioning his plans to move court, Sangma clarified, "We are meeting in a few days to discuss all these issues. We knew that there was a problem in Karnataka. Results also show in many places there was cross voting."

OneIndia News