New Delhi:
Congratulating Pranab Mukherjee for winning the presidential poll, Opposition candidate Purno Sangma said the nation had lost an opportunity to elevate a tribal candidate to the post of the President.
"I may have lost the election, but the nation on the whole has also lost a chance to elevate a tribal to the post of president," Mr Sangma said at a press conference soon after Mr Mukherjee crossed the half-way mark.
"The process in presidential poll has been partisan and political. There is a perception among the people that UPA did not build consensus," Mr Sangma added.
He also said that there should be a code of conduct for the presidential poll.
"There is a compelling need for establishing a code of conduct for the presidential election," he said, adding that the process of election this year was "exceptionally political".
When asked about why he could not muster the support even in the north-eastern states, Mr Sangma said the ruling alliance issued threats of enquiries and pursing court cases to persuade chief ministers of Sikkim and Nagaland, besides others.
He said he would be meeting his poll managers on Tuesday to decide whether to approach court challenging the presidential election.
Mr Sangma was backed by opposition parties BJP, SAD, AIADMK and BJD and some other parties.
(With IANS inputs)