Bardhan questions timing of charges against Patil

CPI General Secretary A.B. Bardhan on Friday came out in support of Pratibha Patil, the UPA-Left presidential candidate, asking why the allegations against her had taken so long to come out. 8220;If there was a genuine case, they would have filed a case. Why has all this come out now?8221; he asked.

8220;They are not aware of the cooperative movement and its ups and downs. Why should only one sugar mill be singled out?8221; he asked, adding that a list of bankrupt cooperative banks and loan-defaulting sugar mills were on the way. 8220;It will prove that not one single political party can claim immunity,8221; he said, citing liquidation notices against his own party8217;s housing and cooperative initiative.

Taking a dig at BJP leader L K Advani, who recently referred to Patil as 8220;tainted8221;, Bardhan said: 8220;She has not faced any court case, nor a commission. Nor did her name figure in the hawala diaries.8221;

Bardhan went on to suggest that two other regional parties8212;the National Conference and the RLD8212;have assured their support to Patil. 8220;In fact, the NC leadership will most probably announce its support before voting,8221; he said, adding that 8220;she will win not by one, but two lakh votes.8221;