Ohio Gov. John Kasich is still urging people in Indiana to vote for him.
READ MORE: Cruz, Kasich campaigns align with goal of beating Trump
That's the Republican presidential candidate's message about 13 hours after he announced an arrangement to give rival Ted Cruz "a clear path" in Indiana, which holds a primary election next week. In exchange, Cruz is to give Kasich a clear path in Oregon and New Mexico.
The arrangement is designed to prevent front-runner Donald Trump from clinching the nomination. Kasich addressed the matter publicly for the first time as he campaigned in Philadelphia on Monday.
Kasich says of Indiana voters, "I've never told them not to vote for me. They ought to vote for me." He says he simply agreed not to spend "resources" in Indiana.
READ MORE: Trump bristles at Cruz-Kasich collaboration
He's also playing down the significance of the extraordinary arrangement.
He says, "It's not a big deal."