May move court: Sangma

Defiant in defeat, Purno Agitok Sangma, the Opposition-backed Presidential candidate, isn't giving up just yet. He suggested he could go to court over what he called a "partisan" Presidential election but he would decide on this later. Zia Haq reports.

Defiant in defeat, Purno Agitok Sangma, the Opposition-backed presidential candidate, isn't giving up just yet. He suggested he could go to court over what he called a “partisan” presidential election but he would decide on this later.

Moments before counting was to close, the former Lok Sabha speaker made a raft of charges against the UPA, accusing it of offering baits and even issuing threats to ensure support for its presidential candidate, Pranab Mukherjee.

He also demanded a code of conduct for Presidential election.

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"We must have this for the sake of strengthening our vast democracy. There is a compelling need for it," Sangma told Hindustan Times after the election.

"They (the UPA) persuaded disparate political parties commanding major sections of the presidential electoral college by economic and other packages as well as inducements, threats and promises," Sangma said.

"Economic packages have been given in a big way. Why was Bihar given Rs 57,000 crore and Uttar Pradesh Rs 27,000 crore? There were threats. Be it Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav and chief ministers of Nagaland and Sikkim — (the UPA said) 'there are cases against you, so vote for us'," he alleged.