IMPHAL, June 4 � After former Speaker PA Sangma and Meghalaya Governor RS Mooshahary, former Maharashtra Governor and Nagaland Chief Minister veteran Congress leader SC Jamir�s name has been proposed for the post of President of India.
Manipur�s former Ministers RV Mingthing, RK Thekho, Laisom Lalit and a former army man RS Jaswal in a jointly signed letter to United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi recommended SC Jamir for the President�s post.
�There has never been any opportunity afforded to a person of Mongoloid origin to such an exalted and prestigious office. It will also bring North East into centre-stage from periphery,� reasons former Ministers and veteran Congressmen in their joint letter.
Some important leaders of Northeast interacted with us and we could zero in our choice on a particular candidate from Nagaland whose achievements, qualities and personal traits could be considered by all national political parties.
The Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples which represents 310 tribal organisations had proposed the name of Meghalaya Governor RS Mooshahary as Pratibha Devisingh Patil�s successor. Tribal leaders from various political parties have also been appealing to choose a tribal to succeed the existing President whose term comes to an end on July 25. There are 53 tribal MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
NCP leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma is also garnering support for himself and has even mustered the support of parties like AIADMK and Biju Janata Dal, despite NCP national leadership pouring cold waters on the bid. However, the two main national parties, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are yet to decide on their candidates for the next occupant of the Rashtrapati Bhawan at Raisina Hills.
