Sangma fires fresh salvo at UPA

Mud-slinging: Prez poll contender accuses govt of misusing CBI

Presidential poll contender P A Sangma on Wednesday accused the Manmohan Singh government of using “unethical” practice of doling out financial package, in an attempt to garner votes for the UPA Presidential nominee Pranab Mukherjee.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker charged the Centre of “misusing” the CBI to lure different political parties in order to secure their votes and to pave the way for a smooth victory for the former finance minister during the forthcoming Presidential election.

Speaking to reporters here, Sangma, who was here on a day-long visit to solicit support, expressed confidence that the MLAs and MPs would be voting for him irrespective of their political affiliations as he was the voice of dalits, weaker sections and the tribals.

Apparently, referring to Centre’s nod for Rs 45,000 crore to Uttar Pradesh for different developmental projects and schemes, Sangma said that the UPA government was trying to “buy votes” of different political outfits by luring them with financial package, which was “unethical”.

Seeking to make light of the whip by the parties during the Presidential poll, he said that the Presidential candidate does not belong to a party. “Pranab Mukherjee has resigned from the Congress...he is an independent candidate...so am I...so there is no whip in the poll,” he said apparently trying to reassure those who may cross-vote in the July 19 poll.

The BJP Presidential nominee also cited the clean chit to BSP supremo Mayawati by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case and said that the CBI was being “misused” by the UPA to garner votes.

Sangma continued his tirade against Mukherjee and held him responsible for what he alleged putting the country in an “economic mess”. “Mukherjee can not escape his responsibilities,” the sexagenarian added.

In reply to a question, Sangma said that he was and would always be opposed to persons of foreign origin occupying Constitutional posts. Sangma had left Congress on the foreign origin issue.
Earlier in the day, Sangma met BJP MLAs and other senior saffron party leaders and sought their support for his bid for the top Constitutional post. Samajwadi Party and the BSP have already announced their support for Pranab Mukherjee.