BJP likely to back Sangma for Prez, final decision expected today

The BJP and some NDA allies are expected to back former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma in the presidential poll and a final decision on it would be taken soon after a meeting of NDA allies.

The BJP and some NDA allies are expected to back former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma in the presidential poll and a final decision on it is expected be taken on Thursday after a meeting of NDA allies. According to reports the BJP will address the media at 12 pm today.

BJP, along with new ally Janata Party Chief Subramanian Swamy, are understood to have conveyed to Sangma their intent to support him.

The party’s core group had decided that it should back Sangma even if NDA constituents did not agree with LK Advani’s plan to contest Mukherjee’s candidature as a way to expand the NDA’s list of allies.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sangma refusing to yield to pressure from his party to withdraw from the presidential race eresigned from the NCP.

Refusing to yield to pressure from his party to withdraw from the presidential race, Purno A Sangma on Wednesday resigned from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a welcome sign for the BJP which is keen on a contest against Pranab Mukherjee.

Among NDA allies, Shiv Sena has already extended its support to UPA's Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee and JD(U) alsoappears to have reservations to having a contest.

With inputs from PTI