NDA Splits As BJP Backs Sangma, JD(U) Supports Pranab

Jaitley said the BJP could not support a government which is using "various manoeuvres", including investigative agencies, to rope in parties to stay in power.

Describing Sangma as "the country's tall leader" besides North East's "tallest leader", Swaraj appealed to Shiv Sena and JD(U) to give up their opposition to his candidature.

Soon after, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav announced support for Mukherjee and his party was against any contest after former President APJ Abdul Kalam refused to enter the fray.

UPA, without TMC, has vote share of 4.12 lakh. However, with the support of SP's 66,688 votes, BSP's 45,473, JD(U)'s 40,737, Shiv Sena's 18,495 and JD(S)'s 6,138, Mukherjee can muster votes much beyond the required number of 5,49,442 votes.

On the other hand, undivided NDA had 3.04 lakh votes, which came down to 2.43 after JD(U) and Shiv Sena broke ranks. AIADMK and BJD have 36,920 and 30,125 votes. In effect, Sangma can garner 3.10 lakh votes.

Trinamool Congress has 45,925 votes but the party is yet to decide on whom to support.

Swaraj and Jaitley regretted that BJP could not persuade its allies and have a consensus in the NDA over the issue but insisted that it would have no impact on the coalition.

To press her point, she noted that Shiv Sena had earlier also voted for UPA nominee Pratibha Patil during the last Presidential poll even though NDA had opposed her candidature but it still remained part of the alliance.