Prez polls: Cong tribal leaders oppose Sangma's candidature

May 23, 2012

sangam

New Delhi, May 23: Congress tribal leaders led by former Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi today opposed the candidature of P A Sangma for presidential election, saying the NCP leader is ''playing into the hands of communal forces''.

Asked who are these communal forces, the former Chhatisgarh Chief Minister told reporters, "BJP and its allies are representing communal forces."

Sangma has sought support from various political parties for his Presidential bid.

"One should not declare himself as a presidential candidate. It is such a high office. It has never been demanded by any individual. Country chooses...electoral colleges decide it. But Sangma has claimed it as tribal leader which is wrong," Congress tribal leader said.

Asked whether he is against the tribal candidate, he said, "We are not against any candidate. UPA has not decided on it as discussions are going on."

He further said, "Either there should be consensus on deciding the candidature or whoever has majority will decide."

Asked about his stand on supporting a tribal candidate for presidency, Jogi said the party has not decided yet. "If party decides for a tribal candidate we will definitely support it."

To question whether he himself would like to be a presidential candidate as a tribal leader, Jogi said, "No way."

Asked whether Congress has decided to oppose Sangma, he said, "Party has not decided yet. It is our view."

Recalling earlier presidential elections, Jogi said, "Once a tribal leader from Meghalaya GG Swell was the candidate and then Sangma had opposed him. Now he is seeking support in the name of tribal."

Jharkhand Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Balmuchu said, "Sangma belongs to NCP and his party is also not supporting him on the issue."

Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent Pala, Manipur MP Rishang Keising and Arunachal MP Ninong Erring are among other tribal leaders who were present on the occasion.

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News Network
October 21,2024

khalistan.jpg

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on Monday warned passengers not to fly on Air India flights from November 1 to 19. He asserted that an attack could take place on an Air India flight during the specified dates, which coincide with the "40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide".

The founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the US, had issued a similar threat around the same time last year.

Pannun's fresh threat comes amid several airlines in India receiving multiple threat calls about potential bombings, all of which turned out to be hoaxes. It also occurred at a time when India and Canada are engaged in a murky diplomatic row following Canada's allegations of India targeting Khalistani elements in the country, including the murder of another terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In November 2023, Pannun released a video claiming that Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport would be renamed and would remain closed on November 19, warning people against flying on Air India that day. The National Investigation Agency charged him with criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, and various offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In December last year, Pannun threatened to attack the Parliament on or before December 13, following reports of an alleged foiled plot to kill him. December 13 marks the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Parliament in 2001.

He also threatened to kill Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of State Police Gaurav Yadav on Republic Day this year. He also urged gangsters to unite and launch an attack on Mann on January 26.

Pannun has been designated a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020 on charges of sedition and secessionism, as he leads SFJ, a group advocating for a separate sovereign Sikh state. A year prior to this, India banned SFJ as an "unlawful association" for engaging in "anti-national and subversive" activities.

In another development, on October 17, the United States charged a former officer of India's spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for allegedly directing a foiled plot to murder Pannun, a charge New Delhi has rejected as baseless allegations.

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News Network
October 27,2024

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav stated on Sunday, October 27, that his party is prepared to contest the Maharashtra Assembly elections independently if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) does not include them in the alliance. 

Yadav assured that the SP would only contest in constituencies where it has a strong organizational presence and would ensure its participation does not affect the MVA’s overall prospects.

Several I.N.D.I.A. alliance members have expressed dissatisfaction with the Congress over seat-sharing arrangements in upcoming state polls. 

Both the CPI(ML)L and the RJD voiced frustration after being offered only 3-4 seats each for the Jharkhand elections by the Congress.

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