Sangma to decide today on petition against Mukherjee

 Opposition presidential candidate P.A. Sangma said Thursday that a final decision on filing a formal complaint against the approval of Pranab Mukherjee's nomination would be taken after legal experts studied the order.

The certified order from the returning officer rejecting their application against Mukherjee, the ruling United Progressive Alliance presidential candidate, came late Wednesday, Sangma told reporters.

"The legal committee will study the order, after which the election campaign committee will meet and decide at 4.30 p.m. today," Sangma, who is being backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, AIADMK and Biju Janata Dal, said, refusing to answer any more questions.

Sangma's team had Monday demanded that Mukherjee's nomination be rejected. It alleged that Mukherjee was holding an office of profit as chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) when he filed his nomination June 28.

Mukherjee, however, produced his resignation letter dated June 20 with acceptance from the ISI. Subsequently, Sangma's request was rejected and Mukherjee's nomination accepted by the returning officer.

The BJP alleged Tuesday that the signatures of Mukherjee on two documents submitted were different. Mukherjee refuted the charge.

BJP sources say Sangma's team is mulling an election petition, a plea filed by any contestant if they feel malpractice has been involved. The petition is heard by the high court of the state after the election.