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P A Sangma files nomination for Presidential poll

June 28, 2012 16:15 IST

P A Sangma, the Opposition candidate for the Presidential poll, on Thursday filed his nomination papers in the presence of leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party, some National Democratic Alliance allies, Biju Janata Dal, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, northeast states and tribal legislators in New Delhi.

Accompanied by NDA Working Chairperson L K Advani, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley, Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and his Punjab counterpart Parkash Singh Badal, among others, Sangma filed his nomination papers at 2:31 pm in the Rajya Sabha secretary general's office in Parliament.

Three sets of papers were filed in support of Sangma. BJD chief Patnaik filed one set with 108 signatures in Sangma's favour, another set was filed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa with 120 signatures, while the third set was filed by Advani and Badal with 122

signatures of members of the electoral college.

Jayalalithaa was represented by AIADMK MP M Thambidurai.

A visibly happy Sangma told the media soon after filing his papers that he would start his campaign from Tura in Meghalaya where a prayer meeting will be held to mark the occasion.

BJP President Nitin Gadkari, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Goa CM Manohar Parikkar, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly V K Malhotra, his Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje, and senior leaders of the BJP were present when Sangma filed his papers.

Political parties from the northeast region, including the Asom Gana Parishad, Mizo National Front, United Democratic Party of Meghalaya and others have extended support to Sangma.