"Unfortunately, Sangma and his proposer Patnaik are trying to influence voters by projecting him as a tribal and Christian candidate in violation of the Constitution, law and tradition," chief spokesman of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Narsingh Mishra told reporters here.
The Constitution clearly says that voters cannot be influenced on the basis of caste, creed and religion, he said cautioning anyone trying to do so would be disqualified.
"Not only the candidate but his supporters also trying to influence voters on these grounds are liable to be punished," he said.
"We condemn this attitude of the candidate, his proposers and supporters for using tribal and religion cards. We want them to refrain from such act," he said.
Apart from the Constitution, the President and Vice President Election Act, 1952 also provides that election for these posts can be nullified if candidates resort to undue practice to influence voters, Mishra said.