Cong tries to douse ‘purdah’ fire

NEW DELHI: The Congress leadership moved quickly to douse the controversy created by its Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil's comments on the purdah system, from snowballing into a full-blown crisis. The party's political managers worked overtime trying to placate angry allies like the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM) Asad Owaissi who on Wednesday had threatened to boycott the Presidential elections unless Patil makes amends.

The Congress president's political secretary Ahamad Patel as well as the leader of the Muslim League and Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmad spoke at length to Owaisi. The two leaders assured Owaissi that Patil would clarify her statement once she returns to the Capital from Jaipur. On Wednesday, the leader had reacted angrily to Patil's statement saying it indicated "a dangerous thought process".

Speaking to the DNA on the phone from Hyderabad, Owaissi said that he was "shocked that the UPA's Presidential candidate held such   views".  He also expressed fears about the kind of position Patil might adopt on sensitive issues once she becomes the President. "The statement reflects poorly on the knowledge of history and Islam of a person who is going to become the President of the country," he said.

Patil's political managers worked late into the night trying to find a way to resolve the controversy.

The UPA leadership wants to resolve the controversy before it becomes a big issue in the run up to the Presidential polls.