Today, P A Sangma virtually dared\u00a0UPA nominee\u00a0Pranab Mukherjee\u00a0for a debate ahead of presidential polls, saying democracy needs debate. In a democracy, people have the right to choose their leader and there should be a debate as economy is sinking and scams are growing.\u00a0Sangma said, “Who is responsible for all this corruption…It has to be a candidate to candidate debate”.<\/p>\n
Sangma, backed by BJP, BJD and AIADMK, when aked whether he was\u00a0throwing a challenge to Mukherjee, he said,\u00a0“Democracy means debate. I am asking for debate”.<\/p>\n
He claimed that he will win the presidential race. He also mentioned that he has sought appointments with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. He said that\u00a0he was going to reach out to every one.<\/p>\n
He said, “The election will be by a secret ballot. Secret ballot means conscience vote. I depend on conscience vote and I believe in conscience vote”.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He added that there is a ‘split’ \u00a0in almost all the parties and this Presidential election is a serious one. It is not as smooth as Congress is claiming.<\/p>\n
He told that he is ‘constantly in touch’ with Mamta Banerjee and is hopeful to get her support. He said,\u00a0“I am going to meet her in next few days.”<\/p>\n
Playing the tribal card, Sangma said that he wanted to correct the historic mistakes the country has committed as “tribals have not been given their due…I appeal to the consience of the nation. We have given our land, our forest, our natural resources…please recognize us.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n