NEW DELHI, June 15 � Claiming that he still has support of many parties, former Lok Sabha PA Sangma on Friday said that he was still in the race for President, even as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) urged him to back off.
�I will be contesting. As of now I am a candidate sponsored by two Chief Ministers and I am still in the race,� the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader told newsmen.
The NCP, a part of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), has not backed Sangma
Asked whether he would withdraw his candidature if NCP chief Sharad Pawar asked him to, Sangma said: �No, I have committed to people supporting me.� �Political parties supporting me will declare their support after UPA finalises its candidate,� he added.
Making it clear that NCP is firmly behind Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential race, the NCP has asked the former Lok Sabha Speaker not to press his candidature in the polls.
Meanwhile, party general secretary D.P. Triparthi conveyed Party chief Sharad Pawar�s instructions to Sangma, suggesting that he should refrain from contesting.
�I went to him (Sangma) and told him that the party will support UPA candidate in the presidential race,� Triparthi told newsmen.
The development came a day after Pawar met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and amid indications that the presidential election could become a keen affair with Mamata Banerjee pitching for APJ Abdul Kalam.
