BJP unlikely to back Sangma in Prez race

Indicating that it was not impressed by AIADMK and BJD's decision to support NCP leader PA Sangma for President, BJP today said it will take a call on the candidature for the top post and is unlikely to rally behind the former Lok Sabha speaker.

Indicating that it was not impressed by AIADMK and BJD's decision to support NCP leader PA Sangma for President, BJP on Thursday said it will take a call on the candidature for the top post and is unlikely to rally behind the former Lok Sabha speaker.

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Sangma's possible candidature for Presidential poll became a talking point when AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik extended their support to him.

When Sangma met the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley, there was speculation about BJP's stand.

BJP maintained it was not very keen on the proposal.

"Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj are Opposition leaders and people from all sections and communities meet them from time to time. As for our Presidential candidate, NDA will hold a meeting after the BJP National Executive on May 24-25 and then decide," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

Asked specifically about Sangma, he said BJD and AIADMK are not NDA allies.

Senior party leaders said Sangma does not fit the bill as far as BJP is concerned and hence it is highly unlikely that it will support the tribal leader from Meghalaya.

BJP and NDA are also waiting for Congress to first announce its presidential candidate and then decide accordingly, sources said.