Sangma can face disciplinary action from NCP

P A Sangma could face disciplinary action from the Nationalist Congress Party if he ignores his party's direction to withdraw from the Presidential race and back UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.

Indications to this effect were available on Sunday with party chief Sharad Pawar saying that "we are part of the UPA. We are happy with the candidature of Pranab Mukherjee and the conduct of all party men should be consistent with the party stand."

Pawar said NCP leader D P Tripathy has already conveyed party's view to Sangma that he should not press for his candidature.

"We have called a party meeting on June 21 on the Presidential issue," he said.

Pawar noted that he, along with Praful Patel and Sangma's daughter Agatha, are representing the party at the Centre.

"So our stand should be consistent with that of the UPA on the Presidential issue," he said.

Sangma, against his party decision, has been pressing for his candidature in the Presidential polls on the grounds of being a tribal candidate.

"I am still in the race. I have made an appeal to all political parties to support my candidature," Sangma told reporters, adding he has spoken to many of the NDA leaders to support him.

He also maintained that he will ask Pawar to support his candidature. "Sharad Pawar is saying that he will appeal to me to withdraw. I can tell you that I will appeal to him to support me," Sangma had said.

Asked whether he is defying party's stand, he had said, "I have maintained right from the beginning that I am a candidate of Tribal Forum of India which has nothing to with any political party."