Political parties should back Sangma: Jayalalithaa

With former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma determined to go ahead in the Presidential race, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said other political parties should come forward to back his candidature.

Various leaders had been in touch with her, some of whom had tried to enlist her support for former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who has decided to opt out, she said.

"I welcome other parties coming forward to support Sangma, but let them make the announcement first and I will be happy if they do that," the Chief Minister said.

There was no change in her party's stand to back Sangma, which she had announced last month, the AIADMK supremo told reporters.

On the candidature of Kalam, backed by Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalithaa said her West Bengal counterpart had spoken to her, seeking her support for the former President. "I said I have already announced support for Sangma. Let us wait and see what Mamataji does and leave the decision to her."

Jayalalithaa, along with her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik were the first to back Sangma for the top job, saying no tribal candidate had so far been nominated for the post