The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : BJP seeks AIADMK support for Shekhawat

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Tuesday, Jul 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

BJP seeks AIADMK support for Shekhawat

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: Bharatiya Janata Party State president L. Ganesan has sought the support of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for Presidential candidate and incumbent Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is contesting as an independent backed by the National Democratic Alliance.

Mr. Ganesan told presspersons here on Monday that leaders such as AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa should support Mr. Shekhawat, especially when she was of the view that it would be unwise for the nation to elect Pratibha Patil, the candidate of the United Progressive Alliance and Communist parties, to the post.

The BJP shared the view of Ms. Jayalalithaa and other leaders of the United National Progressive Alliance, as Ms. Patil had been accused of using her official position to the benefit of family members.

Asked if the AIADMK’s move to abstain from voting was correct in a democracy, Mr. Ganesan said it would not be proper to criticise the party “as we need their support for Mr. Shekhawat.”

The BJP leader accused Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi of misleading the people by saying that a law for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and legislatures would be passed if Ms. Patil became President.

This observation would only make the common man believe that only the President could do it. Actually, when the majority in Parliament passed the bill, the President gave assent to it, Mr. Ganesan said.

The point made in support of Ms. Patil only sought to make it sound as though incumbent President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had been against the reservation.

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