Presidential Poll: Sangma’s Efforts Fail; Pranab’s Nomination Accepted

In a major disappointment to former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma, returning officer for polls on Tuesday accepted the nomination of presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee, while rejecting the objections raised against the latter's nomination.

NDA's Presidential candidate PA Sangma had earlier urged the election body to cancel the nomination of Pranab in the upcoming presidential election, which is slated for July 19, saying that he was holding the office of benefit.

Following the objection, examination of Pranab's nomination papers was deferred on Monday, as the returning officer for polls sought for an explanation from Pranab's team over the controversy.

The objections raised by Sangam's team was heard by Secretary General of Rajya Sabha and returning officer for the polls, VK Agnihotri.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Parliamentary Affairs Minister PK Bansal will represent former finance minister during the course of argument, while BJP leader Satpal Jain will counter Pranab's team argument behalf of Sangma.

The response submitted by Pranab's team contended that the allegations of holding office of benefit was "factually incorrect." Further, they argued that he resigned from his honorary post at Indian Statistical Institute of Kolkata, a week before he filed the nomination for presidential poll.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata-based institution also confirmed about his resignation before he filed nomination after being proposed for President post by UPA coalition.

Sangma and his supporters on Monday hinting at the possibilities of Pranab still heading the office of benefit as chairman of Indian Statistical Institute. They approached the presidential poll officials seeking the cancellation of Pranab's candidature.

The Article 102 (1)(A) of the Indian constitution restricts a member of the Indian Parliament from holding office that would give its occupant the opportunity to gain a financial advantage.

Citing the rules under this Article of the Indian constitution, Sangma urged the authorities to bar Pranab from contesting the President poll which begins July 19.