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Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007
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An assault on women: Congress

Special Correspondent

“It is unbecoming on the part of Jayalalithaa to make such a remark”

Language used by Third Front condemnable: CPI
Vilasrao Deshmukh to seek Shiv Sena support

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday attacked Third Front leader and AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa for terming the candidature of Pratibha Patil for the post of President as a “joke” and said the move to approach President A.P.J. Abdu l Kalam to be the Front candidate showed its desperation.

“It is an insult to the nation and an assault on women. Ms. Pratibha Patil in her chequered career has never faced any complaint in terms of transparency, while some others who claim to be the tallest leaders have to visit court every month. Ms. Patil grew politically step by step and not in the shadow of any individual leader,” Union Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said in an apparent reference to Ms. Jayalalithaa.

In an interaction with journalists here, he said it was unbecoming on the part of a former Chief Minister to make such a remark.

The Minister exuded confidence that the Presidential candidate of the ruling United Progressive Alliance combine, supported by the Left and the Bahujan Samaj Party, would win with ease. Mr. Dasmunsi is one of the Congress leaders entrusted with the management of the election, especially in his capacity as Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

Congress spokesperson Satyavrat Chaturvedi said the Third Front move only showed that the “grapes were sour” and while the Congress was expecting a decision “this is indecision.”

Asked whether the Congress would review Ms. Patil’s candidature, he said the UPA had already fielded its candidate and there was no reason for having second thoughts.

Communist Party of India secretary D. Raja condemned the Third Front remark on Ms. Patil. “The language used by the Third Front is highly condemnable. Ms. Patil has a long illustrious political career and cannot be referred to in such a manner. It shows desperation and reflects the frustration. The candidate of the UPA, the Left, the BSP and other political parties is winning. Her victory is a foregone conclusion,” he said.

“Rejected leaders”

Namakkal MLA and AICC secretary K. Jaya Kumar joined issue with the Third Front and wondered how “rejected leaders” such as Ms. Jayalalithaa, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mulayam Singh and Brindaban Goswami could comment on the selection of Ms. P atil, who had been unanimously chosen by leaders voted to office by the people.

The Congress election managers said Ms. Patil would file her nomination on June 23.

The party had directed all its Union Ministers to remain here over the next three days so that necessary formalities could be completed. It held a strategy session to put the nuts and bolts in place. Ms. Patil on Monday received visitors including M aharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury and Mahila Congress Chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi. Mr. Deskhmukh said all political parties in Maharashtra would set aside their differences and vote for “Pratibhatai.” ;

The Chief Minister said he would campaign for her and also approach Shiv Sena leaders to support her candidature.

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