State NCP backs Sangma

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the NCP, a key ally of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre disowned attempts by its party leader P A Sangma to enter the Presidential race, the State unit of the party has backed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s decision to support the candidature of former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma.“We have expressed sincere thanks to the Chief Minister and BJD president for backing Sangma,” NCP legislature party leader Amar Satpathy told reporters at a hurriedly convened press conference. The State NCP’s reaction to Patnaik supporting Sangma for the Presidential polls came after NCP supremo and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said he was not aware of any such development. Asked about his party chief’s stand on the issue, Satpathy said the party was yet to formally name Sangma as its Presidential candidate. However, the State unit  supports Sangma’s candidature, he added.NCP is a key ally of the Congress-led UPA at the Centre since May 2004 and the two parties are also sharing power in Maharashtra since 2009. NCP forged an electoral alliance with the BJD just before the 2009 general elections after the regional outfit snapped ties with the BJP, a partner in the Naveen’s government for two terms. The NCP chief’s reaction came close on the heels of the BJD supremo backing the tribal leader from Meghalaya for the post of President.Meanwhile, BJD vice-president and Finance Minister Prafulla Ghadai described Sangma as an intelligent person having a long experience in Parliament.“He is a respected politician and has all the qualities to be the President of the country. BJD will certainly back a tribal leader of his stature,” said Health Minister and BJD vice-president Prasanna Acharya.Minister of State for Energy and BJD general secretary Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak also welcomed the decision of the Chief Minister saying Sangma is the fittest candidate for his long years of experience in parliament.The State having a population of 23 per cent tribals is solidly behind the Chief Minister’s decision, said Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Sanjay Dasburma.