Sangma seeks cancellation of Mukherjee’s nomination

Mangalore Today/ ITV

New Delhi, July 2: Opposition Presidential nominee P A Sangma today sought cancellation of nomination of UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee under the Office of Profit rules on the ground that he is Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI).

In a complaint to the Secretary General, Rajya Sabha, who is the returning officer for the Presidential election, Sangma’s lawyer Satpal Jain demanded that Mukherjee’s papers be cancelled at the scrutiny stage as he holds an office of profit.

 

 

Jain said that Mukherjee is chairperson of ISI and, hence, cannot contest the Presidential poll under the Office of Profit rules.

Today is the last day for scrutiny of forms for the Presidential election. The last date of withdrawal of candidature is July 4.


However, the Congress has hit back dismissing all allegations and claiming that the former finance minister had resigned from the position before filing his nomination for the presidential elections.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said, "Pranab Mukherjee has resigned from this position also, quite a few days back and so no question arises. I’m just saying that this objection of theirs is factually incorrect and legally ill-conceived and untenable."

Meanwhile, the Indian Statistical Institute has also confirmed that the veteran Congress leader resigned as its chairman on June 20. The ISI Kolkata also said that the position held by Mukherjee was an honorary one, and he did not take any remuneration for the same.

However, the BJP continued its attack over the issue saying the claims of the Congress were factually incorrect.

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "What the Congress is saying is factually not correct. We will await a proper reply from the representatives of Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow. This is the issue of the top office of country."

Sources close to Mukherjee confirmed that had been given the honourary post of the head of Indian Statistical Institute, but he quit before filing his nomination paper for the Presidential election. Sources say that Mukherjee only attended the ISI ceremonies.