Presidential poll: Shiv Sena wants Sangma to follow Kalam's suit

MUMBAI: Lauding APJ Abdul Kalam for withdrawing from the Presidential race, Shiv Sena on Wednesday said it wanted the "conscience" of the other presidential hopeful, PA Sangma, to also awaken.

"Kalam has pulled out listening to his conscience. We thank his conscience for that. We hope that Purno Sangma's conscience too awakens. About those who are pretending to sleep, the less said the better," the editorial in party's mouthpiece `Saamna' said today.

Noting that Shiv Sena was not a part of "the confusion" over the Presidential election, the editorial said the "tendency" of creating confusion and prolong discussions was aimed at "being in the limelight".

The editorial also made a reference to the issue of prime ministership in 2004 and said the "Country will forever be indebted to him (Kalam). It is precisely this reason why Congress is against Kalam."

The editorial also asked whether Kalam himself wanted to become the President for the second time, or whether he was being pressurised to enter into the fray.

It also lashed out at Team Anna for targeting UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee, whom the Sena also is supporting. "Team Anna is roaming around with buckets of mud and has started targeting Mukherjee because of his chances of winning. This is shameful."