Shiv Sena to support Pranab for president?s post

Mumbai: In a setback to the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), its long-time constituent, Shiv Sena, on Tuesday formally announced its support to the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee Pranab Mukherjee for the July 19 Presidential poll.

In a signed statement published in his official mouth-piece Saamna, Sena chief Bal Thackeray said: ?I have taken this stand in larger national interest. Let bygones be bygones. Let?s all unanimously support Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential poll and show it to people we are all united?.

Justifying his party?s decision to support Mukherjee of the ruling Congress, Thackeray said: ?Nobody should dare level allegations of treachery and backstabbing against the Shiv Sena. The Sena is not out to seek vengeance because such allegations were made earlier?

Thackeray, who had on Monday received a telephone call from Mukherjee seeking the Sena?s support to his candidature, said: ?The farce that is on for the top post of president is not justifiable. The country?s prestige is at stake for political gains. Those who have no merit are also in the race?.

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This is the second consecutive presidential poll wherein the Shiv Sena has broken its ranks with its long-time ally, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and chosen to support the ruling UPA candidate.

In 2007, the Shiv Sena had thrown its lot with the then UPA candidate Pratibha Patil, who was then contesting the presidential poll against NDA?s nominee Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

At that time, the Shiv Sena had justified its stand to support the UPA?s candidate on the ground that Patil was from Maharashtra, a state where the Bal Thackeray-led party has its roots.

Thackeray?s support to Mukherjee comes at a time when the BJP-led NDA is veering around to supporting former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma, whose nomination was announced by chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Odisha J. Jayalalithaa and Navin Patnaik respectively.

The NDA?s change in stance vis-?-vis the presidential poll should be seen in the light of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?s unwillingness to re-contest the poll. In the event of Abdul Kalam having been in the fray, the NDA would have supported his candidature.

But, now that he is out of the race, the BJP is trying to build a consensus among the various constituents of the NDA ? except the Shiv Sena ? on Sangma?s candidature.

Ahead of the NDA meeting scheduled to be held either on Wednesday or Thursday, veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani is also likely to speak to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in his effort to seek her support for Sangma?s candidature.

Advani may also hold talks with Jayalalithaa and Patnaik on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ? to which Sangma belongs ? is seriously contemplating initiating action against him in the event of his refusal to back out of the presidential race.

The NCP?s national executive is meeting in New Delhi on Thursday to deliberate on the issue.

Talking to media persons in the national capital after his meeting with Mukherjee, NCP general secretary D.P. Tripathi said: ?It was a courtesy visit. I am his [Mukherjee?s[ voter and to meet him is my duty?.

Asked if the NCP would initiate action against Sangma if he failed to withdraw from the poll fray, Tripathi said: ?I do not want to dwell upon ifs and buts. Sangma is our senior leader. We are meeting on June 21 in Delhi for the NCP?s national executive. I am sure, Sangma will withdraw from the fray?.

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