"I welcome the BJP's decision of supporting Sangma. All political parties should support Sangma who is a tribal," Patnaik, the Odisha Chief Minister, told reporters on the sideline of the annual car festival of Lord Jagannath here.
Sangma is a distinguished tribal leader who hails from the Northeast and belongs to the minority community, he noted.
Patnaik was the first to propose Sangma's name on May 17 for the presidential polls with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's AIADMK also supporting him.
BJD's senior vice-president Damodar Rout said "While people from different communities have occupied the President's chair, only the tribal community has been left out. Therefore, all should ensure that Sangma wins the polls."
