The former Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr P.A. Sangma, on Wednesday resigned from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which he co-founded in 1999. His move is seen as an indication that he could be the Opposition, National Democratic Alliance’s candidate for the post of President. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have already pledged their support to Mr Sangma’s candidature.

Amid differences over the candidate for the top job, the NDA is meeting here on Thursday. The Shiv Sena has decided to back the United Progressive Alliance’s candidate, Mr Pranab Mukherjee. A section of the Janata Dal (United) also wants a “consensus” on Mr Mukerjee’s name. The Left parties are also meeting on Thursday to discuss the Presidential polls.

Meanwhile, the Janata Party President, Mr Subramanian Swamy, met Mr Sangma just ahead of the announcement of his resignation from the NCP and described Mr Sangma’s move as a “brave decision”. He hoped that the NDA and the Trinamool Congress would support Mr Sangma’s along with the AIADMK and BJD.

Mr Sangma sent his resignation letter to the NCP President, Mr Sharad Pawar, who accepted it with immediate effect. Later, Mr Sangma said in a statement that he had no option but to leave the party. He said the NCP’s disinclination to endorse his candidature amounted to a denial of the aspirations of the tribal people of the country. Meanwhile, the relations between Congress and the Trinamool Congress hit a new low with the latter alleging that Mr Mukherjee was trying to split the party.

> jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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