Congress is anti-tribal, says Sangma

Talking to reporters here, he said, "Congress suspended its tribal leader Arvind Netam without prior notice when he was seen with me during the filing of nomination paper for the Presidential election. This step by the Congress exposes the party`s anti-tribal face."

Sangma, a prominent tribal leader from the northeast and a former NCP leader, arrived here to meet BJP MPs and MLAs ahead of the July 19 Presidential vote.

Asked about his relation with NCP and Congress, the former Lok Sabha Speaker said he was still inspired by Congress ideology, but the party now does not have leaders like Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

Sangma said he was still hoping for a miracle in the next week`s polls for the top Constitutional post and expressed confidence that MPs and MLAs (who form electoral college) will vote by "conscience". Sangma is pitted against UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee.