After the BJP's press conference, PA Sangma addressed the media gathered outside his residence and said, "I'm not a candidate of a single political party. I'm backed by Odisha CM Navin Patnaik and Ms Jayalalithaa. I'm grateful to them for their support. Today I'm happy the BJP has backed my candidature. Other parties like Shiromani Akali JMM and smaller parties have spoken to me and said they're with the decision with the BJP and NDA.
I appeal to all allies of the NDA to extend their support to my candidature. I'll be going all out to reach out to political parties in UPA and NDA. I am also grateful to media for being patient."
Leaders of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley held a press conference around noon to announce Sangma's name as the BJP's candidate for the Presidential race.
Swaraj said Sangma is the tallest leader from the North East. She said ally Shikomani Akali Dal is also with the BJP on Sangma's candidature. She also said UPA did not consult them on naming Pranab as their candidate.
Swaraj said the party took this long to come out with a name because they were trying to reach out to all allies. She made it clear that there was not going to be a walkover for Pranab.
Arun Jaitley reached out to their allies in the NDA and asked them to extend their support to Sangma.
Sangma resigned from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) yesterday over differences on the Presidential race.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma is from the North Eastern state of Meghalaya. He also served as the state's chief minister from 1988- 1990.
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