I love Sangma, but no scope for a debate - Pranab

New Delhi: UPA’s Presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee on Friday rejected his competitor PA Sangma’s debate for a debate. Speaking to IBN18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Pranab said, “I love Sangma, but where is the question of a debate?”

He said since India doesn’t follow the US Presidential system where the President is the policy maker, so there was no scope for a debate. “There is no issue to be debated upon. Debate takes place on issues raised by political parties during general elections,” Pranab added.

Pranab also said he hoped to get Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s support for his candidature, “I hope she takes a decision at an appropriate time and backs me.” When asked whether he was hurt by Mamata’s support for APJ Abdul Kalam, Pranab said, “Mamata thought Kalam was a better choice. She had every right to choose her candidate. But I continue to appeal to her to support my candidature.”
When asked whether he regretted not becoming the Prime Minister, Pranab said Manmohan Singh was the best to be the Prime Minister. “I don’t regret not being the Prime Minister. Manmohan Singh is worthy of being PM. He will be the second man who’ll complete two terms,” he said.

He also added that his nomination for the President’s post reflected Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s confidence in him and not lack of confidence.

While Sangma said he was confident about getting conscience votes, Pranab brushed aside the conscience vote formula saying, “Where is the question of conscience? When a partyman accepts his party’s decision, is it against his conscience?”

Pranab also said he was confident of winning the Presidential poll as he had the numbers required. He said his candidature had the support of a majority.