Patna: Polling was underway in the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly to elect the country`s next President.
In Bihar, the prominent NDA ally JD(U) has backed the candidature of UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee, while the BJP is supporting PA Sangma.
Most of the Independents here are in support of Mukherjee.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, besides minister from BJP quota Giriraj Singh, and ministers from JD(U) quota Narendra Singh, and Bhim Singh are not eligible to vote as they are members of the state Legislative Council.
JD(U) Rajya Sabha member NK Singh would vote here, JD(U) leader Shravan Kumar said.
Kumar claimed that apart from 117 MLAs from JD(U) three Independents too have decided to vote for Mukherjee.
Deputy Chief Minister SK Modi and state Minister N K Yadav said Sangma has support from 91 BJP MLA and an Independent in Bihar.
Kumar said party MLA from Maharajganj Damodr Singh cann`t be able to cast vote because of his indisposition. Three independent MLAs to support Mukherjee are: Vinay Bihari, Pawan Jaiswal and Some Prakash.
BJP`s health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who is away in london, will also not be able to cast ballot.
RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui claimed that all 22 party MLAs would cast votes in favour of UPA nominee.
State CPI secretary Rajendra Prasad said the lone party MLA would not participate in the voting.
PTI
