PM defends Pratibha’s candidature

Scoffs at Shekhawat for breaking ranks with BJP

NEW DELHI:  Unfazed by the mounting accusations against UPA presidential candidate Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh staunchly defended the government’s choice as ‘outstanding’.

“I am satisfied that no charge against her can be sustained,’’ he said during an informal interaction with women journalists on Thursday. “We are not at all apologetic. I believe that we have made the right choice.’’

In fact, he mocked NDA-supported nominee Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for denying his association with the BJP and standing as an independent candidate. “He has spent his entire life in the BJP but now he doesn’t want to appear under its banner,’’ he said with a smile.

Reciting Patil’s bio-data, which he obviously has at his fingertips, the PM said she had many years of experience in public life, both in the state and at the centre. “She doesn’t compare unfavourably in any way to other presidents,’’ he insisted.

This is the second time the PM has come to Patil’s defence. While senior Congress and other UPA ministers have spoken out in her favour, so far UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has maintained a studied silence.

The other important leader who has not spoken up for Patil is BSP chief and Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati.

Scotching speculation that the two power women are unhappy about the controversy over the UPA’s choice, a senior Congress source insisted that they will speak at the time of their choosing.