Ahmedabad: BJP-supported presidential candidate PA Sangma on Friday said that Congress will not have a cake walk in the election to the top constitutional post of the country.
"Congress will not have a cakewalk in the presidential elections," Sangma, who is in the city to campaign for the July 19 presidential election, said.
"India should have a President, who is not blind, dumb and deaf. India should have a thinking and a functional President," Sangma said when he was asked about his views on the top post.
He lashed out at UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee for rejecting the suggestion for a debate between the two. Sangma had virtually dared Mukherjee for a debate ahead of the poll, saying democracy needs debate.
He said that he was ready for a debate, but the Congress rejected the idea. "Pranab Mukherjee said that what is there to debate for the post of President, as he has to follow the policy decision taken by the council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister. What he meant is that President's is a rubber stamp post," Sangma remarked.
"His (Mukherjee's) statement suggests that if he is elected, he would follow the letter of the Constitution. But I would follow the spirit of the Constitution," he said. "If I am elected, I will defend and protect the Constitution of India, integrity and sovereignty of India. Today problems like Naxalism and Maoism are related to tribals. If a tribal is made the President of India, he can help solve the problems," he added.
Supported by BJP, BJD, AIADMK and other small parties, Sangma was on a one-day visit to the state to seek support for his candidature.
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who shared the stage with Sangma at a function here, described him as a "spotless leader" and a "great Speaker of the Lok Sabha".
Modi said that a 'chamatkar' (miracle) is still possible and Sangma can occupy the top post of the country.
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