12 years ago
Hillary Clinton congratulates President Pranab Mukherjee | NDTV.comCalling Pranab Mukherjee a strong partner of the American people, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulated him on becoming India's 13th President.
Congratulate Pranab Mukherjee for becoming first citizen, says Anna Hazare | NDTV.comAnna Hazare, who is based for now at a protest camp at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, has wished Pranab Mukherjee for becoming the President of India. Mr Mukherjee, who quit as Finance Minister last month, was sworn in as India's 13th president yesterday.
President Pranab Mukherjee waves to the media on his arrival at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a horse-drawn carriage during a ceremony after he took oath on Wednesday.
President Pranab: Tough road ahead?After taking oath as the 13th President of India, Pranab Mukherjee outlines his idea of India in his acceptance speech. We look at the expectations ahead.
Former President Pratibha Patil wishes Pranab Mukherjee as he took over as the 13th President of India on Wednesday.
Mamata Banerjee flies in private jet, sent by Pranab Mukherjee, to attend his swearing-in ceremony Of the many people that flew in from Kolkata to attend President Pranab Mukherjee's swearing in ceremony, was West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She came by private jet, sent to her by her host, Mr Mukherjee, and flew back to Kolkata on the same plane.
Interestingly Pranab Mukherjee sent Mamata Banerjee a jet plane to bring her for the swearing in ceremony and she returned to Kolkata on the same jet.
From Poltu to President in two hours
Pranab Mukherjee took his oath as India's 13th President this morning. Here is how his big day unfolded.
Pranab Mukherjee took his oath as India's 13th President this morning. Here is how his big day unfolded.
Pranab Mukherjee escorted back after being sworn-in as President of India
Rahul Gandhi will be President Patil's new neighbour on Tughlaq Lane. The newest member of the Rajya Sabha - Sachin Tendulkar - had also been allotted a house on the same street, he declined.
Pratibha Patil inspects a ceremonial guard of honour in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. PM, Sonia Gandhi, all Ministers present at the ceremonial send off to Mrs Patil.
She will temporarily move to a house on 2, Tughlaq Lane before relocating to a retirement home in Pune.
She will temporarily move to a house on 2, Tughlaq Lane before relocating to a retirement home in Pune.
Pranab Mukherjee escorted from Parliament by his President's Body Guard in the S-class Mercedes. The procession heads up Raisina Hill - on its way to Rashtrapati Bhavan in a slow and steady procession.
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE ON HIS ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE AS PRESIDENT OF INDIA
Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil,
Shri Hamid Ansari,
Smt. Meira Kumar,
Shri Justice S.H. Kapadia,
Members of Parliament,
Your Excellencies, Friends and fellow citizens,
I am deeply moved by the high honour you have accorded to me. Such honour exalts the occupant of this office, even as it demands that he rises above personal or partisan interests in the service of the national good.
The principal responsibility of this office is to function as the guardian of our Constitution. I will strive, as I said on oath, to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution not just in word but also in spirit. We are all, across the divide of party and region, partners at the altar of our motherland. Our federal Constitution embodies the idea of modern India: it defines not only India but also modernity. A modern nation is built on some basic fundamentals: democracy, or equal rights for every citizen; secularism, or equal freedom to every faith; equality of every region and language; gender equality and, perhaps most important of all, economic equity. For our development to be real the poorest of our land must feel that they are part of the narrative of rising India.
I have seen vast, perhaps unbelievable, changes during the journey that has brought me from the flicker of a lamp in a small Bengal village to the chandeliers of Delhi. I was a boy when Bengal was savaged by a famine that killed millions; the misery and sorrow is still not lost on me. We have achieved much in the field of agriculture, industry and social infrastructure; but that is nothing compared to what India, led by the coming generations, will create in the decades ahead.
Our national mission must continue to be what it was when the generation of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad, Ambedkar and Maulana Azad offered us a tryst with destiny: to eliminate the curse of poverty, and create such opportunities for the young that they can take our India forward by quantum leaps. There is no humiliation more abusive than hunger. Trickle-down theories do not address the legitimate aspirations of the poor. We must lift those at the bottom so that poverty is erased from the dictionary of modern India.
What has brought us thus far, will take us further ahead. India's true story is the partnership of its people. Our wealth has been created by farmers and workers, industrialists and service-providers, soldiers and civilians. Our social harmony is the sublime co-existence of temple, mosque, church, gurudwara and synagogue; they are symbols of our unity in diversity.
Peace is the first ingredient of prosperity. History has often been written in the red of blood; but development and progress are the luminous rewards of a peace dividend, not a war trophy. The two halves of the 20th Century tell their own story. Europe, and indeed the world, reinvented itself after the end of the Second World War and the collapse of colonization, leading to the rise of great institutions like the United Nations. Leaders who ordered great armies into the field, and then understood that war was more barbarism than glory, transformed the world by changing its mindset. Gandhiji taught by example, and gave us the supreme strength of non-violence. India's philosophy is not an abstract in textbooks. It flourishes in the day-to-day life of our people, who value the humane above all else. Violence is external to our nature; when, as human beings, we do err, we exorcise our sins with penitence and accountability.
But the visible rewards of peace have also obscured the fact that the age of war is not over. We are in the midst of a fourth world war; the third was the Cold War, but it was very warm in Asia, Africa and Latin America till it ended in the early 1990s. The war against terrorism is the fourth; and it is a world war because it can raise its evil head anywhere in the world. India has been on the frontlines of this war long before many other recognized its vicious depth or poisonous consequences. I am proud of the valour, conviction and steely determination of our Armed Forces as they have fought this menace on our borders; of our brave police forces as they have met the enemy within; and of our people, who have defeated the terrorist trap by remaining calm in the face of extraordinary provocation. The people of India have been a beacon of maturity through the trauma of whiplash wounds. Those who instigate violence and perpetuate hatred need to understand one truth. Few minutes of peace will achieve far more than many years of war. India is content with itself, and driven by the will to sit on the high table of prosperity. It will not be deflected in its mission by noxious practitioners of terror.
As Indians, we must of course learn from the past; but we must remain focused on the future. In my view, education is the true alchemy that can bring India its next golden age. Our oldest scriptures laid the framework of society around the pillars of knowledge; our challenge is to convert knowledge into a democratic force by taking it into every corner of our country. Our motto is unambiguous: All for knowledge, and knowledge for all.
The weight of office sometimes becomes a burden on dreams. The news is not always cheerful. Corruption is an evil that can depress the nation's mood and sap its progress. We cannot allow our progress to be hijacked by the greed of a few.
I envisage an India where unity of purpose propels the common good; where Centre and State are driven by the single vision of good governance; where every revolution is green; where democracy is not merely the right to vote once in five years but to speak always in the citizen's interest; where knowledge becomes wisdom; where the young pour their phenomenal energy and talent into the collective cause. As tyranny dwindles across the world; as democracy gets fresh life in regions once considered inhospitable; India becomes the model of modernity.
As Swami Vivekananda in his soaring metaphor said, India will be raised, not with the power of flesh but with the power of the spirit, not with the flag of destruction, but with the flag of peace and love. Bring all the forces of good together. Do not care what be your colour-green, blue or red, but mix all the colours up and produce that intense glow of white, the colour of love. Ours is to work, the results will take care of themselves.
There is no greater reward for a public servant than to be elected the first citizen of our Republic.
Jai Hind
National Anthem marks the end of the ceremony in Parliament's Central Hall
Vice President Hamid Ansari addresses the gathering
President Pranab Mukherjee's acceptance speech
- Hunger is the biggest humiliation
- Peace is the first ingredient of prosperity
- For our development to be real, the poorest of our land must feel they are part of the narrative of rising India.
- I will strive to preserve, protect and defend our constitution not just in words but also in spirit
- War against terrorism is the foe...and it s a world war because it can raise its head anywhere in the world India has been at frontline of this war long before others recognized its consequences
- Corruption is an evil that can depress a nation's mood and sap its progress...we cannot allow our progress to be hijacked
- I envisage an India where every revolution is green...where knowledge becomes wisdom...where India becomes model of modernity
- No greater reward for a public servant than to be elected the first citizen of our republic...thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Jai Hind.
The new President addresses the gathered dignitaries
The oath of office for the President of India is as follows:
I, (Pranab Mukherjee), do swear in the name of God (or solemnly affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President (or discharge the functions of the President) of the Republic of India, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law, and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Republic of India.
I, (Pranab Mukherjee), do swear in the name of God (or solemnly affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President (or discharge the functions of the President) of the Republic of India, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law, and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Republic of India.
In the background, the 21-gun salute for the new President
JUST IN:
Pranab Mukherjee administered the oath of office by Chief Justice SH Kapadia. India gets its 13th President
Pranab Mukherjee administered the oath of office by Chief Justice SH Kapadia. India gets its 13th President
Pranab Mukherjee is now in the Central Hall of Parliament. The letter in which the name of the President-elect was officially declared is being read out now - to the applause of the gathered MPs.
NEWS UPDATE
Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Parliament. He is received by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Vice President of India Hamid Ansari and the Chief Justice of India, SH Kapadia.
Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Parliament. He is received by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Vice President of India Hamid Ansari and the Chief Justice of India, SH Kapadia.
The horse-borne President's Bodyguard are escort Ms Patil and Mr Mukherjee to Parliament House a short distance away. The outgoing President is with the stately Presidential limousine.
The President's Body Guard is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army. They provide the ceremonial cavalry escort for the President on all ceremonial occasions.
Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan by the President's Body Guard.
JUST IN: Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Rashtrapati BHawan
Pranab Mukherjee will be sworn-in at 11:38 am
Pranab Mukherjee's aide Pradyut Guha tells NDTV
He was very happy. He was very happy and calm and quiet. He's going to take a new assignment; he got lot of assignment in his life, now he's got his final assignment for the President of India. He's mentally very happy. He was cool and calm with his family and he goodbye them and [has] gone for taking oath.
He wore a new type of dress - black choga-achakn .
He was very happy. He was very happy and calm and quiet. He's going to take a new assignment; he got lot of assignment in his life, now he's got his final assignment for the President of India. He's mentally very happy. He was cool and calm with his family and he goodbye them and [has] gone for taking oath.
He wore a new type of dress - black choga-achakn .
How 13 is lucky for Pranab Mukherjee Pranab Mukherjee is set to be sworn in as 13th President of India. That number, conventionally believed to be unlucky, has served Mr Mukherjee well. So well that he has refused to move out of his relatively modest 13, Talkatora Road residence, despite being entitled to a bigger house for many years now. However, He now will move from there straight into the world's largest presidential palace.
Even though Mr Mukherjee visited Rajghat alone, his whole family including his three sisters from West Bengal were at his home, early this morning. Sources say, they will all dress in traditional Bengali attire to attend the swearing in.
Seen here, Mr Mukherjee at Rajghat. He visited the memorial before he left for Parliament.
Also spotted in his entourage was actor Mithun Chakraborty who had flown in with Mamata Banerjee last night. Mr Chakraborty will be present when Mr Mukherjee takes oath.
Pranab Mukherjee was accompanied to Rajghat by Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath. Mr Mukherjee spent about 5 minutes there.
Pranab Mukherjee has left 13 Talkatora Road for Rajghat in a Mercedes Benz S 600 Limousine. He will He will then go to Parliament House. After taking oath he will go to his new residence - Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Pranab Mukherjee to be sworn in as the 13th President of India todayPranab Mukherjee will be sworn in as the India's 13th President in New Delhi today. Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia will administer the oath of office to Mr Mukherjee at 11:30 am.
- Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday met President-elect Pranab Mukherjee and congratulated him on being elected to the top post.
- Ms Banerjee, who will be attending today's function for the swearing-in of Mukherjee as the next President, drove to his Talkatora Road residence straight from the Delhi airport soon after her arrival from Kolkata.
- Sources close to the West Bengal Chief Minister said Mr Mukherjee thanked her during their interaction.
Some Delhi Metro stations to close for Pranab Mukherjee's swearing-inThree Metro stations in central Delhi will be closed to the public for two hours in the morning on Thursday due to security restrictions in view of the swearing-in of Pranab Mukherjee as President.
Pranab Mukherjee showed leadership even as a teenager, says former classmatePresident-elect Pranab Mukherjee had shown sparks of brilliance even as a teenager when he had persuaded a minister to order the renovation of his school's building that had a "thatched roof" and was in a "very bad shape", a former classmate of his says.
No hard feelings about Mamata, hope she will attend swearing-in: Pranab to NDTV Speaking to NDTV, hours after his official victory the President-elect says he may have been a Congressman for four decades, but as President he understands the need to defend the constituition, he says, gives clear space to his office to have views that may be divergent from the government.
NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel arrive to congratulate Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Mukherjee will be going to Raj Ghat and the other memorials on Wednesday morning before the swearing-in ceremony. He will leave his residence at 13, Talkatora Road for Rashtrapati Bhavan at around 10.50 am. The ceremony will take place at 11:30 am.
Raisina Hill all set to welcome Pranab Mukherjee Rashtrapati Bhawan is getting ready for its new resident, Pranab Mukherjee, who will take oath as the 13th President of India at 11.30 am on Wednesday. This evening, Parliamentarians will gather in Central Hall to give a farewell to Pratibha Patil.
Pranab Mukherjee calls Prakash Karat, thanks CPI(M) for support
Pranab's Presidency: More political and pro-active?We take a look at the political implications of Pranab Mukherjee's victory, as it is not just a personal one, but is being hailed as victory for the UPA's political managers.
What Pranab Mukherjee will earnAs president, Pranab Mukherjee will draw a salary of Rs.1.5 lakh a month. His official car will be a bulletproof Mercedes Benz. Around 200 staff will maintain the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Pranab Mukherjee says it felt like general electionsPresident-elect Pranab Mukherjee thanked people across the country for his victory and said that with emotions running high it felt like another general election.
Pranab Mukherjee thanks JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav for supportSoon after being elected as the 13th President of India, Pranab Mukherjee phoned Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav and thanked him for his party's support to him in the election.
Pranab Mukherjee to get a swanky Mercedes Benz LimousineAfter becoming the 13th President of India, Pranab Mukherjee will not only have a change in designation and address, but also in his mode of transport. In place of his favourite bullet-proof Ambassador, Mr Mukherjee will get a swanky Mercedes Benz limousine to go around.
Pranab Mukherjee to take oath on July 25; Mamata Banerjee to be presentTrinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today telephoned Pranab Mukherjee, who was elected as India's 13th President, to congratulate him and assured him she would attend his swearing-in on July 25.
'Pranab Mukherjee will be missed in the UPA'
DMK's TR Baalu on Sunday said veteran Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee, who is set to make his way to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, will be missed in the alliance.
DMK's TR Baalu on Sunday said veteran Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee, who is set to make his way to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, will be missed in the alliance.
Pranab Mukherjee: A ProfileMany years ago, at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, he told his sister Annapurna Banerjee wistfully that in his next life he would like to live there. "Why not now?" asked his elder sister. Mr Mukherjee will now live in the world's biggest presidential palace.
Pranab helped by cross voting in KarnatakaPranab Mukherjee getting a lion's share of votes in the presidential elections was expected. The BJP-ruled Karnataka giving him giving him more votes than it did PA Sangma was not. But the state has proved to be the BJP's Achilles Heel once again.
Arvind Kejriwal slams Pranab Mukherjee
"Will disclose corruption allegations against Pranab on July 25," says the prominent Team Anna member.
Final Vote Count
Pranab Mukherjee - 7,13,937 (69.3 per cent)
Purno A Sangma - 3,15,987 (31.7 per cent)
Total votes - 1,029,924
Pranab Mukherjee - 7,13,937 (69.3 per cent)
Purno A Sangma - 3,15,987 (31.7 per cent)
Total votes - 1,029,924
Congratulating India's President-Elect
It's official now, Pranab Mukherjee will be India's next president
Returning Officer VK Agnihotri declares Pranab Mukherjee as "duly elected to the office of the President of India"
Returning Officer VK Agnihotri declares Pranab Mukherjee as "duly elected to the office of the President of India"
Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday telephoned Pranab Mukherjee, who is slated to become India's 13th president, to congratulate him and assured him she would attend his swearing-in July 25.
Pranab Mukherjee speaks
I would like express my deep gratitude to all of you who are waiting.
The figure has crossed 7 lakhs, only one state remains. The final figure will come from the returning officer.
I would like to thank the people of India for electing me to this high office.
The enthusiasm, the warmth of the people was remarkable.
I have received much more from the people of this country, from the Parliament, than I have given.
Now I have been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and defending the constitution as President. I will try and justify the trust of the people.
I would like to reciprocate the congratulation Shri Purno Sangma has extended.
I would like express my deep gratitude to all of you who are waiting.
The figure has crossed 7 lakhs, only one state remains. The final figure will come from the returning officer.
I would like to thank the people of India for electing me to this high office.
The enthusiasm, the warmth of the people was remarkable.
I have received much more from the people of this country, from the Parliament, than I have given.
Now I have been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and defending the constitution as President. I will try and justify the trust of the people.
I would like to reciprocate the congratulation Shri Purno Sangma has extended.
Pranab Mukherjee's son, Abhijit, to NDTV
I have not congratulated him yet. We believed in him from the very beginning. (On Mr Sangma's statement on partisan elections) One has to accept defeat. If there was something wrong, the Election Commission would have pointed out. If he (Sangma) wants to shout, let him shout.
I have not congratulated him yet. We believed in him from the very beginning. (On Mr Sangma's statement on partisan elections) One has to accept defeat. If there was something wrong, the Election Commission would have pointed out. If he (Sangma) wants to shout, let him shout.
PM congratulates Pranab Mukherjee
PM Manmohan Singh and his wife, Gursharan Kaur meet Pranab Mukherjee at his residence, congratulate Mr Mukherjee on his win.
Clad in a navy blue galabandh Pranab Mukherjee receives the PM at his gate, obliges waiting camera crews with a photo op.
PM Manmohan Singh and his wife, Gursharan Kaur meet Pranab Mukherjee at his residence, congratulate Mr Mukherjee on his win.
Clad in a navy blue galabandh Pranab Mukherjee receives the PM at his gate, obliges waiting camera crews with a photo op.
Kapil Sibal says, "We had no doubt on Pranab winning the Presidential poll. Cross-voting in Karnataka shows his acceptability."
Congress President Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Rahul Gandhi are at Pranab Mukherjee's residence to congratulate him.
Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar also met and congratulated him.
Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar also met and congratulated him.
PA Sangma concedes defeat, congratulates Pranab Mukherjee
I congratulate Pranab Mukherjee on his victory and wish him success. I place on record my grateful thanks to the Tribal forum of India.
I also thank the BJD, AIADMK, BJP, others who gave me support. My special thanks to those who prayed for me.
I might have lost the election but the nation has lost a golden opportunity to show solidarity with the tribals. I do believe I have won hearts and minds.
The President is above politics but the process of electing the President is not.The process this year has been particularly partisan and political.I think there should be a code of conduct, like there is for other elections.
Cross-voting in favour of Pranab Mukherjee in Karnataka embarrasses BJP
Faction-ridden ruling BJP in Karnataka suffered a humiliation today when Pranab Mukherjee secured a backing of 117 MLAs as against P A Sangma's 103, with some BJP members cross-voting in favour of the UPA nominee.
Faction-ridden ruling BJP in Karnataka suffered a humiliation today when Pranab Mukherjee secured a backing of 117 MLAs as against P A Sangma's 103, with some BJP members cross-voting in favour of the UPA nominee.
Pranab to take oath at 11.30 am on July 25
As soon as all votes are counted and an official announcement is made today, the man who has worn many hats will be known as President-elect till Wednesday, July 25, when he is sworn in as President. He has already conveyed that he would like to be sworn in on that day at 11.30 am in the Central Hall of Parliament.
On Wednesday morning, Mr Mukherjee will be escorted by the Military Secretary to the President of India. From to Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Pratibha Patil and Mr Mukherjee will leave in a ceremonial cavalcade for the swearing in ceremony.
The Chief Justice of India will administer the oath of office.
The short route will be lined with soldiers in ceremonial dress.
As soon as all votes are counted and an official announcement is made today, the man who has worn many hats will be known as President-elect till Wednesday, July 25, when he is sworn in as President. He has already conveyed that he would like to be sworn in on that day at 11.30 am in the Central Hall of Parliament.
On Wednesday morning, Mr Mukherjee will be escorted by the Military Secretary to the President of India. From to Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Pratibha Patil and Mr Mukherjee will leave in a ceremonial cavalcade for the swearing in ceremony.
The Chief Justice of India will administer the oath of office.
The short route will be lined with soldiers in ceremonial dress.
Defence Minister AK Antony has said the UPA will miss Mr Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram has thanked allies and friends and the BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad has congratulated him "warmly."
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal congratulates Pranab Mukherjee. Mr Bansal is also Mr Mukherjee's polling agent.
Mr Mukherjee will be sworn in as President at 11.30 am on July 25
Pranab Mukherjee told NDTV that he was "thankful for being elected."
Pranab Mukherjee crosses half-way mark, set to become President of IndiaPresident of India: Pranab Mukherjee will be the 13th President of India. Sources say he has now crossed the magic mark - 5.25 lakh of the 10.5 lakh total votes, and as soon as counting is over, he shall be officially declared winner.
For those counting and particular about their numbers, Pranab Mukherjee has far polled 5,58,195 votes.
Pranab Mukherjee will be the 13th President of India. After the counting of Maharashtra votes, he has crossed 5.58 lakh votes, say sources. That is about 51 per cent of the votes polled.
How the votes added up
*Each MLA vote has a designated value depending on which state he or she belongs to. All MP votes have a value of 708. The total value of MP votes is 5,49,408 and the total value of all MLA votes, across India, is 5,49,474. A total 10.98 lakh votes.
| MPs & MLAs | Votes | Pranab Votes (%) | Sangma Votes (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPs | 733 votes | 72% | 28% |
| Andhra Pradesh MLAs | 185 votes | 98% | 2% |
| Arunachal Pradesh MLAs | 56 votes | 96% | 4% |
| Assam MLAs | 113 votes | 89% | 11% |
| Bihar MLAs | 236 votes | 62% | 38% |
| Chhattisgarh MLAs | 89 votes | 44% | 56% |
| Goa MLAs | 40 votes | 22% | 78% |
| Gujarat MLAs | 182 votes | 32% | 68% |
| Haryana MLAs | 82 votes | 65% | 35% |
| Himachal Pradesh MLAs | 67 votes | 24% | 66% |
| J&K MLAs | 83 votes | 82% | 18% |
| Karnataka MLAs | 220 votes | 53% | 47% |
| Kerala MLAs | 124 votes | 100% | 0% |
| Rajasthan MLAs | 198 votes | 57% | 43% |
| Odisha MLAs | 141 votes | 18% | 82% |
| Uttar Pradesh MLAs | 398 votes | 88% | 12% |
| West Bengal MLAs | 278 votes | 99% | 1% |
| Madhya Pradesh MLAs | 223 votes | 33% | 67% |
| Maharashtra MLAs | 272 votes | 83% | 17% |
| Manipur MLAs | 59 votes | 98% | 2% |
| Meghalaya MLAs | 57 votes | 60% | 40% |
| Mizoram MLAs | 39 votes | 82% | 18% |
| NCT of Delhi MLAs | 68 votes | 66% | 34% |
| Tamil Nadu MLAs | 193 votes | 23% | 77% |
| Uttarakhand MLAs | 69 votes | 57% | 43% |
| Sikkim MLAs | 29 votes | 97% | 3% |
| Tripura MLAs | 57 votes | 98% | 2% |
| Jharkhand MLAs | 80 votes | 75% | 25% |
| Punjab MLAs | 114 votes | 39% | 61% |
| Nagaland MLAs | 58 votes | 100% | 0% |
| Puducherry MLAs | 28 votes | 82% | 18% |
Karnataka has more than obliterated the bit of bewilderment that the Jammu and Kashmir results had brought to the faces of Team Pranab. That state is ruled by the National Conference and the Congress and Mr Sangma was expected to get no more than 4 votes. He got 15. Mr Mukherjee got 82 per cent votes in J&K, Mr Sangma managed 18 per cent. So there is some cross voting to be looked at in J&K too, when the analysis is done.
The state gave Mukherjee 68 votes while Sangma got 15 votes. Two votes were declared invalid. Mukherjee's vote value here stands at 4896 while Sangma got 1080. The Assembly has 87 MLAs.
The state gave Mukherjee 68 votes while Sangma got 15 votes. Two votes were declared invalid. Mukherjee's vote value here stands at 4896 while Sangma got 1080. The Assembly has 87 MLAs.
Neighbouring Kerala has added to that pleasure. The Congress-ruled state has given 100 per cent votes to Mr Mukherjee. Not surprising, because the opposition in Kerala is made up of the Left, primarily the CPM, which voted for Mr Mukherjee.
Of the total votes counted so far, Mr Mukherjee has 69 per cent so far. The Karnataka results pleasantly surprised Team Mukherjee - they've been all smiles since.
As Pranab Mukherjee closes in on that magic halfway mark that will see him home, there is news that he has been helped by cross-voting in Karnataka. That BJP-ruled state has given Pranab Mukherjee 117 votes and Mr Sangma only 103 - that is 53 per cent in Mr Mukherjee's favour. Three votes were declared invalid.
Jagadish Shettar, brand new chief minister, will have to answer some tough questions very soon.
Jagadish Shettar, brand new chief minister, will have to answer some tough questions very soon.
Sources say Pranab babu now needs just 50,000 more votes to take an unbeatable lead.
Pranab Mukherjee has a huge lead now, say sources. Of the votes counted so far, he already has about 4.4 lakh votes in his kitty. The moment he hits 5.25 lakh votes, which is halfway to the 10.5 lakh total votes, he will be home. Mr Sangma has so far polled 1,98, 629 lakh votes.
Here's another state for you Mr Sangma. Narendra Modi's Gujarat has, as expected, voted in favour of the former Lok Sabha Speaker. He got 123 votes, Mr Mukherjee managed 59.
Satpal Jain, Purno Sangma's election agent has told NDTV's Sunil Prabhu that since this result is known, there is "nothing to concede defeat it is understood." But he has added, "We will be moving court on whether Pranab's nomination is valid."
Team Sangma is not letting go yet clearly.
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Team Sangma is not letting go yet clearly.
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Celebrations begin at Mr Mukherjee's 13 Talkatora residence.
And some more cheer for Mr Sangma on a Sunday that belongs to his opponent Pranab Mukherjee. Goa, also ruled by the BJP, has given 31 votes to Mr Sangma and nine to Mr Mukherjee. But the value of a Goa vote is only 20 as compared to, say, Bihar, where the value of each vote is 173.
Here is the first state that has given Mr Sangma more votes. It is the BJP-ruled Chhatisgarh. Mr Sangma has 50 per cent of the Chhatisgarh votes, Mr Mukherjee has won 39 per cent. One vote was invalid, say sources.
Bihar: Mr Mukherjee has won 146 votes, Mr Sangma 90. Four votes were invalid, says sources. That is 62 per cent votes for Mr Mukherjee and 38 per cent for Mr Sangma.
Bihar is ruled by NDA partners Janata Dal (United) and the BJP. The JD(U), the senior partner in Bihar, broke ranks with the BJP to vote for Mr Mukherjee. Most of the NDA is backing Mr Sangma.
So Pranab Mukherjee has won the A states. Here's a recap: He has won 98 per cent votes in Andhra Pradesh, 96 per cent in Arunachal and 89 per cent in Assam.
Coming up, B for Bihar.
Coming up, B for Bihar.
From Poltu to President - Five little-known facts about Pranab Mukherjee The UPA's little big man, Pranab Mukherjee is all set to be sworn-in as the 13th President of India on July 25. In a political career of over four decades, Mr Mukherjee has served as minister in every Congress government since 1971.
Assam is in too. Mr Mukherjee has 89 per cent of the votes - that is 110 votes. Mr Sangma has 13. There were two invalid votes and one MLA abstained, sources say.
And here are those figures. Mr Mukherjee has reportedly got 42 votes from Arunchal, Mr Sangma only three.
Arunachal Pradesh votes have been been counted. The first state from the North East, which is Purno Sangma territory, but advantage Pranab continues - Mr Mukherjee has got 96 per cent of the votes in Arunachal, sources say. We'll have the break up here soon. Watch this space.
So this where counting so far is: The votes of all MPs and those of MLAs from Andhra Pradesh have been counted. Mr Mukherjee has, sources say, already bagged about 4 lakh of the total 10.50 lakh votes. He got 72 per cent of the MPs' votes and over 98 per cent of the Andhra votes.
Please do remember that this is unofficial information yet, trickling out of the counting centre in Parliament House. Votes from states are being counted alphabetically.
Please do remember that this is unofficial information yet, trickling out of the counting centre in Parliament House. Votes from states are being counted alphabetically.
Votes from Andhra Pradesh have been counted. With even Jagan Reddy coming out of jail for a few hours to vote in favour of Mr Mukherjee, this was a no-contest. Sources say that of the 185 valid votes counted, Mr Mukherjee got 182. Mr Sangma got all of three votes. There were five invalid votes.
Was that Dr Manmohan Singh who just walked into Pranabda's house? No, that was the fake Manmohan Singh. The PM is expected to visit Mr Mukherjee only later in the evening.
NEWS UPDATE
All MP votes have been counted. Sources say out of the 733 votes counted, Pranab Mukherjee has got 527 and PA Sangma 206 votes. The sources say 15 votes were found invalid - nine from the Pranab Mukherjee side and six from Mr Sangma's side.
All MP votes have been counted. Sources say out of the 733 votes counted, Pranab Mukherjee has got 527 and PA Sangma 206 votes. The sources say 15 votes were found invalid - nine from the Pranab Mukherjee side and six from Mr Sangma's side.
Counting is still underway, but along with a stream of important visitors, boxes of sweets and bouquets have also begun arriving at Pranab Mukherjee's 13 Talkatora Road residence. President Pranab soon?
Two votes have so far been declared invalid. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's vote was disallowed as he ticked Purno Sangma's name by mistake and then tore up that ballot paper to vote afresh. The vote of an MLA, Iftekar Ali Ansari, has also been disallowed because he made his vote known. This is a secret ballot.
Pranab Mukherjee: First Bengali in Rashtrapati Bhawan?In 1996, West Bengal had come close to having a Bengali Prime Minister in Jyoti Basu. But that ultimately did not happen. That lament of the Bengalis is likely to come to an end.
Challenges before the new PresidentThe man who is likely to be India's 13th president will have tough choices to make when he takes office. Read...
"We are confident Pranab Mukherjee will win this election by a huge margin, and this is also the expectation of the people of the country ," says Rashid Alvi, Congress Spokesperson.
All eyes are on Pranab Mukherjee, expected to be the next President of India. Mr Mukherjee began his Sunday as he does every day. He read the newspapers, had tea, bathed and finished his morning prayers, said his campaign manager, Pradyut Guha.
Mr Mukherjee is now meeting visitors. The first visitor at his Talkatora Road home today was Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. (Read)
Mr Mukherjee is now meeting visitors. The first visitor at his Talkatora Road home today was Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. (Read)
Counting of votes has begun.
Security has been increased at Pranab Mukherjee's house at 13 Talkatora Road to prepare for the Prime Minster's visit this evening. X-ray scanners have been put up and SPG commandos are being stationed.
Here's how the counting will happen. At sharp 11, election officers will begin to sort ballot boxes. Some MPs have voted in the Assemblies of the states they belong to, so their votes will be extracted and mixed with those of the MPs that voted at Parliament House on July 19.
The votes of MPs will be counted first. The results will be displayed in Parliament, but there will be no announcement.
After the votes of MPs have been counted, the votes of MLAs in their states will be counted. Alphabetically, so Andhra Pradesh first. That is where Jagan Reddy was allowed to leave jail for some time to vote. He surprised everyone by voting for Pranab Mukherjee.
The results from each state will be displayed in Parliament House, but an official announcement will come only after all the counting is over.
The votes of MPs will be counted first. The results will be displayed in Parliament, but there will be no announcement.
After the votes of MPs have been counted, the votes of MLAs in their states will be counted. Alphabetically, so Andhra Pradesh first. That is where Jagan Reddy was allowed to leave jail for some time to vote. He surprised everyone by voting for Pranab Mukherjee.
The results from each state will be displayed in Parliament House, but an official announcement will come only after all the counting is over.
So clearly, the UPA is sanguine that it is all in the bag. Mr Mukherjee's poll managers are confident that he has polled about 65 to 70 per cent of the vote. Will the best Prime Minister that India never had be the13th President? Watch this space.
Message from the Prime Minister's Office: Dr Manmohan Singh will visit Pranab Mukherjee's house this evening to congratulate him. He will attend a banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening .
The new President will be administered the oath of office by the Chief Justice of India on Wednesday, July 25.
The action is at Parliament House today. Ballot boxes with the votes of MPs and MLAs from all over India have been brought to Delhi and lined up. Counting will begin at 11 am and India should know who its 13th President will be by 4 pm.
The counting will begin at 11 am and the result is expected at around 4 pm.
Pranab Mukherjee nears the finishing line of Rashtrapati BhavanHe began his political career in 1969 and has served in every Congress cabinet since Indira Gandhi. He is often referred to as the best Prime Minister India never had. Now, Pranab Mukherjee's sterling, over four-decade-long political journey could reach its peak at Rashtrapati Bhavan, India's top constitutional post, as the counting and declaration of results of the July 19 President poll takes place today.
President election result today; Pranab Mukherjee all set to win the race to Raisina Hill | NDTV.comIt's the final day of the race to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The counting of votes for the Presidential elections will take place today and the country will know who will replace Pratibha Patil.
Timeline: Pranab Mukherjee: From "Village boy" to President-in-waiting
For decades now Pranab Mukherjee has been ubiquitous in Indian politics. His political career spans over 40 years, most of them spent in important positions. in an interview to NDTV in 2009, however, he said, "I am a village boy". Through this timeline, we trace that journey from village to the power corridors.
For decades now Pranab Mukherjee has been ubiquitous in Indian politics. His political career spans over 40 years, most of them spent in important positions. in an interview to NDTV in 2009, however, he said, "I am a village boy". Through this timeline, we trace that journey from village to the power corridors.
He has had no time for family: Pranab's daughter to NDTV Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Sharmishtha Mukherjee, Pranab Mukherjee's daughter says she prefers her father becoming President rather than Prime Minister as he is overworked, has had many responsibilities, and hardly has any time for himself or his family.
From 340 rooms to four, temporary digs await Pratibha Patil After the 340 rooms of Rashtrapati Bhavan, a four bedroom bungalow in New Delhi will be President Pratibha Patil's temporary residence after she steps down on July 24 before moving into her retirement home in Pune in about a month.
Mulayam's oopsie: Vote for Pranab won't count after allThe Election Commission has said that Mulayam Singh Yadav's vote will not be counted in the election for President of India.
The voting in the presidential elections have ended. The results are expected to be announced by Sunday evening.
Andhra Pradesh speaker first to vote in presidential poll
Polling to elect India's new president proceeded smoothly and briskly in the Andhra Pradesh assembly on Thursday with speaker Nadendla Manohar the first to cast his vote.
Polling to elect India's new president proceeded smoothly and briskly in the Andhra Pradesh assembly on Thursday with speaker Nadendla Manohar the first to cast his vote.
Voting for Presidential polls has come to an end in Odisha after 145 of 147 MLAs and a Rajya Sabha MP cast their vote. A Congress MLA who is seriously ill did not turn up and the lone CPI MLA abstained from voting.
Having announced her party's support for Mr Mukherjee at the last minute, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today exercised her franchise at the state Assembly.
Maharashtra: Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has decided to abstain from voting.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voted at the Assembly complex. His party, the ruling National Conference (NC), has 28 MLAs, Congress has 17 while Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 21. While the NC is supporting Pranab Mukherjee, the Opposition is supporting PA Sangma.
Kadapa MP and YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and former Andhra Pradesh Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao - jailed in corruption case - voted in the Assembly amid tight security. They were given special permission to cast their vote; both are now back in Chanchalguda jail in Hyderabad.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav reportedly ticked on PA Sangma's name by mistake during voting. Later, he tore the ballot paper when he realised his mistake.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and DMK chief M Karunanidhi voted in Chennai.
Janata Dal (Secular) president and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda cast his vote at the Vidhan Soudha in Bangalore. Mr Gowda congratulated Mr Mukherjee in advance.
YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, jailed in connection with a corruption case, is on his way to cast his vote.
Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers, Parkash Singh Badal and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, cast their votes in Chandigarh.
Our correspondent Uma Sudhir reports from Hyderabad: Students of Osmania University trying to break security cordon demanding boycott of presidential elections by Telangana MPs and MLAs.
Shortly after casting her vote, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said she is more than confident of Mr Mukherjee's victory.
Pranab Mukherjee cast his vote flanked by PM Manmohan Singh and and Sonia Gandhi.
Prime Minister and Pranab Mukherjee go inside Parliament House to cast their votes. Mr Mukherjee wearing a tilak on his forehead.
Polling today began in Parliament House and state capitals for electing a new President. Brisk polling was witnessed in the early hours with M K Alagiri of DMK, Opposition BJD MPs led by B Mahtab and Pratap Singh Bajwa of the Congress among the early voters. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to cast his ballot at 11 am.
Two senior leaders - Pranab Mukherjee and PA Sangma - are battling it out, in a race that's seen the biggest political twists and turns. MPs can vote in Delhi or states from where they are elected.
In just about an hour from now, 4896 legislators - 776 MPs and 4,120 MLAs - will begin voting to elect the President. Voting closes at 5 pm and the result will be known on Sunday.
President poll today, but Pranab is already President in this textbook He might not have been formally elected as the President of India, but a university textbook in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli has already declared Pranab Mukherjee as the 14th President of India.
Presidential poll today; advantage Pranab Mukherjee in contest against PA Sangma The stage is all set for the Presidential poll today with UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee going up against former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma. The numbers are heavily stacked in Mr Mukherjee's favour, who whipped coalition partners into shape and quelled scandals as the Congress party's chief firefighter for years.
At Sonia Gandhi's lunch, PM's table had Mulayam and TrinamoolWhile the govt reached out to Mamata Banerjee, by having Mulayam Singh Yadav seated at the same table, it sent a subtle hint too.
Kolkata: Preparations for voting underway at West Bengal Legislative Assembly in Kolkata on the eve of Presidential election.
Winding up his campaign for the Presidential election, NDA candidate P A Sangma today met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and thanked her for supporting his candidature for the top post.
Sonia hosts lunch, Mamata's party attendsUPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today hosted lunch for all MPs belonging to the ruling coalition and supporting parties, a day before they vote for India's next President.
With Mamata's support, Pranab's candidature will be strengthened and I hope he will emerge victorious in the presidential election: Manish Tewari.
Shortly after Mamata Banerjee announced her party's support for Pranab Mukherjee for President, Mr Mukherjee said: "I welcome Mamata Banerjee's decision."
Mamata will vote for Pranab for President, but not happy about itMamata's Trinamool Congress will vote for Pranab Mukherjee for President in the July 19 polls. The decision was taken at a meeting in Kolkata today where Ms Banerjee met some important MLAs and MPs of her party.
The presidential campaigns of Pranab Mukherjee and Purno SangmaThe race to Rashtrapati Bhawan will see a battle between Pranab Mukherjee and Purno Sangma as India's Electoral College votes for a new president on July 19.
Presidential polls could be as significant as 1969: PA SangmaEnthused by backing from 18 political parties, opposition Presidential Candidate P A Sangma on Sunday hoped to draw support from some more parties and said the July 19 polls could be as significant as the one held in 1969 when V V Giri defeated the Congress candidate.
President poll: Pranab Mukherjee writes to Mamata Banerjee asking for supportPranab Mukherjee, the ruling UPA's candidate for President of India, has written to Mamata Banerjee seeking her support. Ms Banerjee's party, the Trinamool Congress, is the only UPA member which has opposed Mr Mukherjee's candidacy.
President Polls: First Pranab, then Sangma files nomination papersA few hours after a smiling Pranab Mukherjee, the UPA's candidate, filed his nomination papers for the post of the 13th President of India today, Purno Sangma officially made it a contest by filing his papers as the Opposition's candidate.
Flanked by senior BJP leaders, Sangma gets ready to file nomination papers.
Around 2:30 pm today, P A Sangma will file his nomination for the President Polls.
"I am a candidate nominated by two chief ministers- Naveen Patnaik and J Jayalalithaa- and backed by the BJP and NDA allies. I am extremely grateful to leaders who have supported me," said Mr Sangma.
"I am a candidate nominated by two chief ministers- Naveen Patnaik and J Jayalalithaa- and backed by the BJP and NDA allies. I am extremely grateful to leaders who have supported me," said Mr Sangma.
Calculations at present give Mr Mukherjee a comfortable advantage with about 56 per cent votes in the electoral college.
Allies apart, leaders of friendly parties like the RJD, BSP, SP attended. In all the bonhomie Mulayam Singh Yadav held hands with Senior Congress leader AK Antony as they walked down the corridor towards the Rajya Sabha General Secretary's office where Mr Mukherjee filed his nomination. Asked later, Mr Yadav said they had been and would remain "good political friends."
President Pranab? Papers filed with Sonia, PM: Top 10 facts | NDTV.comPranab Mukherjee, who quit as Finance Minister earlier this week., has officially become the UPA's candidate for President of India today.
After staking claim, Mr Mukherjee sought blessings - heavenly and political. "I only wish at this time that we have the blessings of god and cooperation of all at this juncture," he said.
Mrs Gandhi signed the register, Mr Mukherjee many papers, which were then scrutinised by the returning officer. There are 480 important signatures on his four sets of nomination papers. Notably, Janata Dal(United) chief Sharad Yadav is the first signatory on one set; Mr Yadav's party is an important part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He was however not present at Mr Mukherjee's nomination photo-op.
Seated next to Mr Mukherjee as he signed his nomination papers were Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi. UPA Allies, friends like Laloo Prasad Yadav and senior Congressmen made up the rest of the entourage.
Missing today was key UPA ally Mamata Banerjee, but others like the DMK's TR Baalu and Farooq Abdullah of the National Congress were there. So was Ram Vilas Paswan.
Missing today was key UPA ally Mamata Banerjee, but others like the DMK's TR Baalu and Farooq Abdullah of the National Congress were there. So was Ram Vilas Paswan.
Pranab Mukherjee files nomination for President Polls
Mr Mukherjee will not use an official car as he drives up to Parliament in a short while from now to file his nomination papers for the Presidential election. He is expected to use the personal car of fellow Congressman and minister V Narayanasamy.
Presidential poll: Pranab Mukherjee, PA Sangma to file their nominations today | NDTV.comPranab Mukherjee and PA Sangma will file their nomination papers for the elections of President of India in a short while from now.
Top BJP leaders including Narendra Modi to be present during PA Sangma's nomination | NDTV.comMaking its intentions clear in backing its presidential candidate PA Sangma all the way, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will put up a show of strength today when the former Lok Sabha Speaker files his nomination.
Pranab Mukherjee to file four sets of nomination papers today | NDTV.comUPA Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee is expected to file four sets of nomination papers today signed by top UPA leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Nitish Kumar gets thank you call from President-in-waiting Pranab MukherjeeNitish Kumar, chief minister of Bihar, received a vote of thanks from Pranab Mukherjee this morning, in advance of the votes Mr Kumar's party has promised him in the election for President of India.
Pranab or Sangma for President? The Math
India's Electoral College that will vote for a new president July 19 is made up of 4,896 members - 776 members of parliament and 4,120 members of the state assemblies. Between them they have 10,97,012 votes and the winning candidate needs at least 50 per cent of these.
How do numbers stack up?
India's Electoral College that will vote for a new president July 19 is made up of 4,896 members - 776 members of parliament and 4,120 members of the state assemblies. Between them they have 10,97,012 votes and the winning candidate needs at least 50 per cent of these.
How do numbers stack up?
Pranab is my guru, but I will contest for democracy: Sangma to NDTVPA Sangma, who is running for President of India against Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, tells NDTV that his decision to run against the Finance Minister is a serious bid, not a symbolic gesture.
President poll: CPM backs Pranab, putting Mamata in a cornerThe four parties that make up the Left have decided their stand on the election for President of India. Two - the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), and the Forward Bloc - have said they will support Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is the candidate of the UPA. The CPI and the the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) will abstain from the July 19 vote.
CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat says, "Pranab Mukherjee has the widest acceptance. But we willl continue to oppose the UPA government's neo-liberal policies."
NEWS UPDATE
Left divided over Pranab Mukherjee's bid for President: CPM has decided to support him. CPI and RSP oppose; CPI says it will abstain
Left divided over Pranab Mukherjee's bid for President: CPM has decided to support him. CPI and RSP oppose; CPI says it will abstain
Mr Sangma addresses media;
- I am very much in the race
- I am not a candidate of any single political party- my name has been sponsored by two powerful CMs - Naveen Patnaik and J Jayalalithaa
- Today I am very happy that the BJP has taken a stand to back my candidature.
- Akali Dal, JMM and other smaller parties have told me they are with the decision of the BJP
- JD(U) and Shiv Sena have taken a different stand. Appeal to them to reconsider.
- The Constitution clearly states that elections of President shall be by secret ballot. Therefore you cannot go by black and white- conscience of nation and electoral college will work.
- Have spoken to Mamata Banerjee seeking her support. She requested me to support her candidate Now that Dr Kalam is out of the race, I hope Ms Banerjee will support me. I am in touch with her.
BJP picks PA Sangma as candidate for President polls"Dr Abdul Kalam decided not to contest, so our option was PA Sangma, the tallest leader of the North East," said Sushma Swaraj.
BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley today addressed a press conference on election for President of India where they announced their support for PA Sangma.
Here are the highlights of the press conference:
Sushma Swaraj:
- BJP to back PA Sangma for candidate
- Two allies - Shiv Sena and Janata Dal (United) - not on board
- A pre-requisite of a consensus candidate is prior consultation - UPA did not do that. They sought consensus after they announced Pranab Mukherjee as their candidate
- Only then did PM phone LK Advani, who told him that "you are informing us... you did not seek our advice."
- So BJP decided we will try to have a contest
- But Dr Abdul Kalam decided not to contest, so our option was PA Sangma, the tallest leader of the North East.
- He has enjoyed a rich term as Speaker
- He has political experience
- We will not give the Congress a walkover
- NDA is a very strong and mature alliance, we are capable of differing on some topics but sticking together on the whole
- We are still trying to bring our partners on board.
- We were informed after the announcement (of Pranab Mukherjee) and asked to fall in line
- Can we been seen as strengthening a failed UPA? We decided not to fall in line.
- The idea of an election is integral to democracy, it is not alien to democracy.
- We want to maintain our character as opposition
- We ask all members of NDA, we appeal to MPs and MLAs to support Sangma
- This decision to back Sangma will not affect NDA
- We will accept that we were not able to find consensus among our members on this one issue.
President Poll: NDA split wide open?Has the rift between leaders of the NDA coalition deepened over backing PA Sangma as the presidential candidate?
NEWS UPDATE
BJP meet ends. Sushma Swaraj says," We will decide on Sangma by tomorrow."
BJP meet ends. Sushma Swaraj says," We will decide on Sangma by tomorrow."
PA Sangma's problematic math
Naveen Patnaik and J Jayalalithaa, Mr Sangma's official sponsors, hold 6% of the vote. If the BJP jumps on board, he manages 26% of the vote. An additional 4% comes his way if he wins the endorsement of Mamata Banerjee, who is a member of the UPA but has refused to support Mr Mukherjee. That adds up to just 33% of the electoral college.
Naveen Patnaik and J Jayalalithaa, Mr Sangma's official sponsors, hold 6% of the vote. If the BJP jumps on board, he manages 26% of the vote. An additional 4% comes his way if he wins the endorsement of Mamata Banerjee, who is a member of the UPA but has refused to support Mr Mukherjee. That adds up to just 33% of the electoral college.
NEWS UPDATE
Pranab Mukherjee spoke to Prakash Karat yesterday and sought support: Sources to NDTV
Earlier, on June 15, the PM spoke to the CPM General Secretary
The CPM's Politburo is meeting tomorrow morning, the four left parties will meet at 4 pm
Sources: Left to factor-in developments in the NDA
Pranab Mukherjee spoke to Prakash Karat yesterday and sought support: Sources to NDTV
Earlier, on June 15, the PM spoke to the CPM General Secretary
The CPM's Politburo is meeting tomorrow morning, the four left parties will meet at 4 pm
Sources: Left to factor-in developments in the NDA
NEWS UPDATE
Pranab Mukherjee calls on Sonia Gandhi
Pranab Mukherjee calls on Sonia Gandhi
Left parties to meet tomorrow at 4:30 pm at CPM headquarters at AKG Bhavan in New Delhi
Yeddyurappa's new revolt includes hint of support for PranabIt's never quiet for long within the ruling BJP in Karnataka. And often the man at the centre of the turmoil is former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa.
NEWS UPDATE
Sources: Janata Dal United has decided not to support PA Sangma. Party president Sharad Yadav has communicated this to the BJP leadership. JDU is waiting for the BJP to make a formal announcement.
Sources: Janata Dal United has decided not to support PA Sangma. Party president Sharad Yadav has communicated this to the BJP leadership. JDU is waiting for the BJP to make a formal announcement.
NEWS UPDATE
NCP chief Sharad Pawar accepts Mr Sangma's resignation
NCP chief Sharad Pawar accepts Mr Sangma's resignation
Presidential poll: PA Sangma quits party, making him more appealing for BJPPA Sangma, adamant on running for President of India, has resigned from the party that he co-founded several years ago with Sharad Pawar. Mr Sangma says he has no choice but to quit the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is a member of the ruling coalition, the UPA.
BJP wants presidential contest, allies back Pranab Mukherjee: 10 factsAfter it failed to persuade former president APJ Abdul Kalam to run for a second term, the BJP is trying to decide whether to put up a candidate against Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the candidate of the ruling UPA.
BJP ally Shiv Sena says it backs UPA candidate Paranab Mukherjee for the post of President of India. "We felt Pranab to be a capable candidate. There is no bitterness between us and the BJP," said Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
Presidential poll: BJP to try for consensus within NDA on Sangma, say sourcesAfter former president APJ Abdul Kalam today refused to run for President of India, the BJP core group met tonight at Nitin Gadkari's residence on whether to back former speaker PA Sangma, who is contesting the election as the candidate of chief ministers J Jayalalithaa and Naveen Patnaik.
Sources to NDTV: Shiv Sena assures support to Pranab Mukherjee for President. Mr Mukherjee called the Thackerays' for the second time on Monday.
BJP to try for consensus within NDA on PA Sangma: Sources
- Despite Kalam's refusal, BJP promises contest in the Presidential polls
- BJP to try for consensus within NDA on PA Sangma, if Mr Sangma stays in contest
- BJP to try and win support for Mr Sangma, if BJD and AIADMK continue backing him
- In case Mr Sangma backs out, BJP to explore of a candidate from the NDA fold
Mamata Banerjee's ministers 'will quit if forced', Congress says let's stick togetherMamata Banerjee: Mamata Banerjee's ministers, who met with her in Kolkata this evening, said that though they are ready to resign if forced, they plan to stick with the UPA. "Many channels are saying that Trinamool ministers have submitted resignations to Mamata Banerjee.
NEWS UPDATE
BJP core group meeting begins at Nitin Gadkari's residence
BJP core group meeting begins at Nitin Gadkari's residence
NEWS UPDATE
Rajnath Singh arrives for BJP core committee meet
Rajnath Singh arrives for BJP core committee meet
Derek O'Brien to NDTV
- It's a question of the situation
- Our view on the Presidential candidate has been unchanged
- We were opposed to 2 names proposed by Congress
- Now we will meet again and take a call on what will be the plan of action
- Mamata Banerjee has posted on FB what the view of the party is; we respect his decision and understand the kind of pressure he was under
- Our strategy endorses one thing - we wanted someone of the stature of Mr Kalam to President of India.
- We are perennial optimists. Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool culture is "what you see is what you get."
Shakeel Ahmed, Congress General Secretary in-charge of West Bengal
- Mamata is a respectable and strong ally of UPA
- We have fought the elections together and will in the future
- There is no issues between us, there is always a difference in opinion when it comes to certain issues
- She was, she is and will always be a strong ally party of UPA
- Today when Kalam said he won't fight elections, so now I don't think there is any issue
- I also believe that she will wholeheartedly support Pranab
Mamata Banerjee on her Facebook page
Kalam Saheb, you have touched our hearts and our spirit. I have seen your statement that you are not contesting. This news has hurt all of us deeply....
Kalam Saheb, you have touched our hearts and our spirit. I have seen your statement that you are not contesting. This news has hurt all of us deeply....
Trinamool MP and Union Minister Sudip Bandopadhyay:
Many channels saying that Trinamool ministers have submitted resignations to Mamata Banerjee. There isn't an iota of truth in that. Trinamool is a partner in the ruling coalition- UPA. We are the 2nd largest party. We are staying there.
If the government doesn't want us, we will have no hesitation in submitting our resignation, but we have not quit...
Many channels saying that Trinamool ministers have submitted resignations to Mamata Banerjee. There isn't an iota of truth in that. Trinamool is a partner in the ruling coalition- UPA. We are the 2nd largest party. We are staying there.
If the government doesn't want us, we will have no hesitation in submitting our resignation, but we have not quit...
Mamata Banerjee to exit UPA? Ministers are ready to resignThe ministers say it is upto Ms Banerjee to decide if her party should quit the coalition.
BREAKING NEWS
Railway Minister Mukul Roy says Trinamool Ministers are ready to quit
Railway Minister Mukul Roy says Trinamool Ministers are ready to quit
NEWS UPDATE
Maneka Gandhi meets Pranab Mukerjee, says there should be consensus
Maneka Gandhi meets Pranab Mukerjee, says there should be consensus
NEWS UPDATE
Mamata Banerjee has called Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa seeking support for Dr Kalam. Ms Jayalalithaa has asked Ms Banerjee to support Mr Sangma's candidature instead.
Mamata Banerjee has called Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa seeking support for Dr Kalam. Ms Jayalalithaa has asked Ms Banerjee to support Mr Sangma's candidature instead.
Kalam's press statement
My dear friends,
You're aware of the developments in the run-up to the Presidential election. Though I have never aspired to serve another term or shown interest in contesting the election, madam Mamata Banerjee and other political parties wanted me to be their candidate. Many many citizens have also expressed the same wish. It only reflects their love and affection for me and the aspiration of the people. I'm really overwhelmed by the support. This being their wish I respect it. I want to thank them for the trust they have in me. I've considered the totality of the matter and the present political situation and decided not to contest the presidential election 2012.
APJ Abdul Kalam
My dear friends,
You're aware of the developments in the run-up to the Presidential election. Though I have never aspired to serve another term or shown interest in contesting the election, madam Mamata Banerjee and other political parties wanted me to be their candidate. Many many citizens have also expressed the same wish. It only reflects their love and affection for me and the aspiration of the people. I'm really overwhelmed by the support. This being their wish I respect it. I want to thank them for the trust they have in me. I've considered the totality of the matter and the present political situation and decided not to contest the presidential election 2012.
APJ Abdul Kalam
Kalam out of the race, will BJP back Sangma?The BJP has failed to persuade Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to run for a second term as a President. His decision comes after Mulayam Singh Yadav, whoholds six percent of the vote, says he remains committed to supporting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
President poll: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam tells BJP 'conscience doesn't permit me' to contestFormer president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has refused to run for President of India against Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. "My conscience doesn't allow me to contest," he said. Dr Kalam has allegedly conveyed this to senior BJP leader LK Advani, who phoned him this morning before sending his emissary Sudheendra Kulkarni to meet the former President.
PTI reports: Sources say, former President APJ Abdul Kalam is unlikely to contest Presidential poll; conveys his message to BJP leader L K Advani.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Yadav tells NDTV that for them, the Kalam chapter is closed. "We have supported Pranab, now just wait for the results," said Mr Yadav.
Senior BJP leader LK Advani calls up former President APJ Abdul Kalam, and sends his emissary, Sudheendra Kulkarni, to Dr Kalam's residence for a second time today.
JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar says NDA will have more meetings to decide on presidential candidate.
President polls: Will Kalam run? BJP sends emissary, decision likely todayFormer President Dr APJ Kalam is, according to sources, likely to announce his decision today on whether he will contest the Presidential election. That could change the political landscape considerably. The BJP is itching to take on the ruling UPA, which has announced Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as its candidate. However, its ally, Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) does not want to field a candidate against Mr Mukherjee.
Sources say, Shiv Sena has rejected PA Sangma as presidential candidate.
BJP's core committee to meet tonight at 9 pm at party president Nitin Gadkari's house in Delhi.
Former president APJ Kalam is, according to sources, likely to announce his decision today on whether he will contest the Presidential election.
BJP leader and key strategist Sudheendra Kulkarni meets former President APJ Abdul Kalam at his residence.
A day after NDA meet on presidential polls, JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to announce today his stand on who to back.
NCP leader PA Sangma said he is not yet out of the presidential race. He said that he will appeal to all political parties to support his candidature. In a press conference in Delhi he said, "The NDA meeting has been inconclusive, so I will wait for a decision. I am a candidate from the tribal forum of India, not from any party. I have spoken to Mamata Banerjee for support since Mr Kalam is no longer in the race."
Rahul Narvekar, Shiv Sena spokesperson to NDTV: "Don't read too much into Shiv Sena not attending the meet. Internal talks are on. Party chief will decide whether we want a contest or not. There is still time. A decision will be taken at an appropriate time."
Presidential polls: NDA meet inconclusive, Shiv Sena gives it a missNDA Convenor and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav addressing media outside LK Advani's residence in Delhi. He said more discussion is needed to arrive at a consensus. However he did not reveal when the NDA will meet again.
NDA meet to decide on its presidential candidate has ended inconclusively. NDA Convenor and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said, there will be another meeting later to take a final call.
Shiv Sena sources say, the party is keen for a contest, and wants a strong candidate for the presidential polls.
NDA meet begins without key ally Shiv Sena's presence. Sena sources say, the party is angry over delay in announcing the name of the NDA candidate for presidential polls. Sources also say that Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray will decide next step if NDA nominates PA Sangma as its candidate.
Key NDA ally Shiv Sena skips meet.
BJP leader Jaswant Singh, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy have also arrived at LK Advani's residence for the crucial NDA meet to decide its presidential candidate.
Sushma Swaraj arrives at LK Advani's residence for the NDA meeting
BJP President Nitin Gadkari and Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj reach senior leader LK Advani's residence in Delhi to finalise NDA's presidential candidate. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11 am.
Divide in NDA over Pranab Mukherjee as President?The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will meet today to decide on their candidate for the July 19 presidential polls. But whether they support UPA-backed Pranab Mukherjee or name another candidate in the race to Raisina Hill remains to be seen.
"If his name has been proposed, he will definitely be the President of India. As a family there were moments of nervousness; now let's hope for the best," Mr Mukherjee's daughter Sharmishtha tells NDTV.
Mr Mukherjee is expected to resign as Finance Minister on June 24, after the Prime Minister returns from the G-20 summit in Mexico, and is likely to file his nomination papers on June 25.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who announced Mr Mukherjee's candidacy said he had a long and distinguished record of public service and appealed to all political parties to support him. She was flanked by all the UPA allies.
Mr Mukherjee's candidacy was ratified at a meeting of the Congress's allies at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's 7 Race Course Road residence this evening.
