Pranab Mukherjee's nomination for President accepted; BJP cries foul: 10 developments

Both Mr Mukherjee's and Mr Sangma's nomination  papers were accepted today. The process of accepting nominations had been delayed for a day as the Returning Officer had sought a written response from Pranab Mukherjee on objections raised by Team Sangma.

Mr Sangma's election agent and BJD member of Parliament, Bhartrihari Mahatab, had sought yesterday that Mr Mukherjee be disqualified from the race as, he claimed, he held an office of profit as Chairman of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) on the day that he filed his nomination papers last week.

After a long deposition and arguments by BJP leaders supporting Mr Sangma, the returning officer VK Agnihotri today held that Mr Mukherjee had duly resigned and so did not hold an office of profit when he filed his nomination on June 28.

In his written response, Mr Mukherjee said, "I deny the averments. The objections have no factual basis and in fact are false.  I tendered my resignation on (June) 20. It was accepted on the same date. The objection that I hold office of profit is misconceived and untenable."

However, the BJP maintains Mr Mukherjee's letter of resignation  from the ISI has been 'fabricated'. "We allege that the resignation letter and the acceptance is a complete fabrication. The order of the returning officer is flawed. We  expect the EC to do justice. We will wait for a written order from returning officer, " said BJP's Anant Kumar.

Pawan Kumar Bansal, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Mr Mukherjee's election agent pointed out that the matter ended here as, "under the law, the decision of the retuning officer cannot be challenged in a civil court." Election Commission sources agree with Mr Bansal and say the Returning Officer has the last word in this matter.

The Indian Constitution, while defining qualifications for a Presidential candidate under Article 58, states that "A person shall not be eligible for election as President if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments."

Mr Mukherjee is the Congress-led UPA's candidate for the next President of India. His candidacy is supported by all UPA allies except the Trinamool Congress which is yet to state how it will vote. He is also supported by parties like the Samajwadi Party, BSP and RJD.

Mr Mukherjee has also managed to garner the support of BJP ally the Janata Dal (United) and two Left parties - the COM and Forward Bloc. All that support adds up to more than 50 per cent of the electoral college.

Mr Sangma is supported by the BJP and two regional parties, the AIADMK and the BJD. His team is ensuring that numbers or not it will put up a fight.