IndianExpress.com :: Don’t be arrogant, Patil costly mistake, pull her out: Advani

IndianExpress.com :: Don’t be arrogant, Patil costly mistake, pull her out: Advani

Congress/UPA nomination of Mrs. Pratibha Patil is likely to increase problems for the ruling coalition. It is troubling to note that there are allegations that Mrs. Pratibha Patil used her political clout to protect her brother in a murder case. Mrs. Pratibha Patil will also carry the legacy of her failed leadership of banks and instances of "loot" in favour or her relatives/friends in the banks headed by her. I feel that Mrs. Pratibha Patil will not be an effective President, if elected. Both politicians and general public will hesitate in accepting her moral and ethical leadership as the "First Citizen" of the country. The high post of President of India will face an integrity draught during the tenor of Mrs. Pratibha Patil.

UPA has been successful in weakening the constitutional institutions like Election Commission by appointing Mr. Navin Chawla as Election Commissioner. We are seeing the results already as it is my perception that the Election Commission now favours UPA and misses no opportunity to take action against NDA/BJP. In Goa there was blatant abuse of Indian election laws but EC didn't take any stern action. Mr. Rahul Gandhi talked about Babri Maszid to capture votes in U.P. elections even though elections cannot be used to inflame religious tensions. No action was taken against him. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi openly wrote letters to Muslim religious leaders to capture their votes but no action was taken. The Congress Party accepted the "fatwa" in its favour during U.P. elections but no action was taken.

I hope the "Rashtrpati Bhawan" would not become a political arm of UPA if Mrs. Pratibha Patil is elected president. There are many exceptionally qualified women leaders in India. There is no shortage of women leaders well respected by a large section of society in India. It is not too late to pick one of those leaders and give India a chance to have an able and non-controversial ""First Citizen" like President Abdul Kalam.

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