President polls: Two Left parties back Pranab, two will abstain

New Delhi: The four parties that make up the Left have decided their stand on the election for President of India. Two have said they will support Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is the candidate of the UPA. The CPI and RSP will abstain during the vote on July 19.

The Left together holds 4% of the vote.

"We have agreed to disagree," said Sitaram Yechury of the CPM, which will back Mr Mukherjee. The Prime Minister and Mr Mukherjee had phoned Left leaders, seeking their support.

Mr Mukherjee is taking on PA Sangma, who is the candidate of the BJP, Odisha chief minister Navin Patnaik and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Based on these parties, Mr Sagnma is likely to get about 30% of the vote.