The Hindu : National : Presidential poll: Rajput body’s plea

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Sunday, Jul 01, 2007
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Presidential poll: Rajput body’s plea

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The current acrimony over the Presidential election involving two leaders of Rajasthani background has prompted Shri Pratap Foundation, a powerful social organisation of the Rajput community here, to come out with an appeal for restraint. The prospects of getting one of them elected were bright but the “malicious campaign” was quite unbecoming of the post as well as the persons involved, it said.

“The allegations being levelled are a disgrace. This is not only the feeling of our community but also of every common citizen in Rajasthan,” said Mahavir Singh Sarwari, spokesperson of Sri Pratap Foundation, talking to newspersons here.

Question of image

“It is a foregone conclusion that either Pratibha Patil or Bhairon Singh Shekhawat would be the next President of the country. Should we speak so disrespectfully about the person who would be holding the topmost Constitutional post? What would be his/her image in the eyes of the world’s nations once the election gets over,” he asked.

In fact, Mr. Sarwari too belongs to Sikar district in Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region with which both Ms. Patil and Shekhawat are associated. The convener of the Foundation, Bhagwan Singh Rolsabsar, too belongs to Sikar. Sri Pratap Foundation, which came out into the open in the past in connection with the agitation over reservation to Rajputs, has some past association with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party here.

When pointed out that it was the National Democratic Alliance that has been indulging in mudslinging against Ms. Patil, Mr. Sarwari said the other side too was getting ready with “damaging” details on its opponent.

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