Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) After their demand to cancel presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee’s nomination was rejected, the other contender for the post, P. Sangma, and his supporters plan to go to the court.

Sangma, who has the backing of several opposition parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has written to the returning officer for presidential polls V.K. Agnihotri seeking a copy of his order rejecting the objection against Mukherjee’s candidature.

Mukherjee is a candidate of the ruling United Progressive Alliance.

The decision to challenge Mukherjee’s nomination legally was taken after a two-hour meeting at BJP leader Sushma Swaraj’s residence here, sources said.

The Shiromani Akali Dal, Biju Janata Dal and AIADMK are also supporting Sangma.

Leaders from Sangma’s team, however, said that the final decision would be taken after they receive a copy of the letter rejecting their application.

“We have surprisingly not received the order. We are waiting for the official copy and only then we will move court,” Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy said.

Sangma’s team had Monday demanded rejection of Mukherjee’s nomination alleging he held an office of profit as the chairman of Indian Statistical Institute.

Mukherjee however produced his resignation letter with acceptance from ISI, after which Sangma’s request was rejected and Mukherjee’s nomination accepted.

However, at a press conference Tuesday, BJP alleged that signatures of Mukherjee on two documents submitted were different.

Mukherjee has denied that the signatures are forged.

“How can I forge my own signature? All these issues have been discussed in front of the returning officer,” said Mukherjee.