Presidential poll: Congress asks PA Sangma not to seek conscience votes

LUCKNOW: Congress leader Pramod Tewari today advised BJP-backed Presidential candidate P A Sangma not to seek conscience votes, saying in such a case he would not even get BJP's support as his behaviour and "habits" did not match saffron ideology.

"There are several things and habits of Sangma which do not match the BJP (ideology) and in case he seeks vote on the conscience of MPs and MLAs, he would not even get support of all the members of the saffron party," Tewari said.

He accused BJP and Sangma of demeaning the election to the highest post in the country by raising cheap and downgraded charges.

To a question on Sangma terming the economic package to Uttar Pradesh as outcome of the deal for Presidential poll, Tewari said it was "totally wrong" to say so.

The package is for the development of the state and benefit of crores of people in the state, Tewari said, adding that he should recall the packages he got as Meghalaya Chief Minister.

He expressed confidence that almost 70 per cent votes in the state would be polled in favour of UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee.