No rethink on Pratibha, says UPA as it gets her to rethink on veil

The party got Patil, who claimed that the purdah was introduced to protect women from Mughal invaders, to issue a statement: “I believe in religious freedom and I have respect for all religions. Whatever I said should be seen in this context. I cannot think of hurting the sentiments of any section of the society.” This came after protests from several Muslim organizations as also from some MPs learnt to have conveyed their disquiet to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Many in the Congress believe that the Opposition NDA and the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) would seek to draw a parallel between the UPA’s rejection of Kalam’s candidature and Patil’s controversial remarks.

On the issue of Kalam’s candidature, though, the Congress was in a combative mood. Sonia refused to meet Chandrababu Naidu and yesterday, in a meeting with the President, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was learnt to have thanked Kalam for his support and guidance but conveyed to him that Patil was the UPA’s choice.

Congress leaders cite convention and the party’s record on the matter. In 1977, when the Morarji Desai government proposed N Sanjeeva Reddy’s name, the Congress agreed. Again, twenty years later when H D Deve Gowda’s United Front proposed K R Narayanan’s name, the Congress demurred and did not oppose it, as it did once again in 2002 when Abdul Kalam emerged as the then ruling combine, the NDA’s candidate.

Said AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi: “What can happen and what not, only future will tell. But the kind of attempts they (UNPA and NDA) are making is undermining the dignity of the office of President. They are misusing Kalam’s name.”

A meeting of top party leaders including Congress Working Committee members and Chief Ministers is scheduled for Wednesday evening to discuss Patil’s campaign. Patil is expected to be introduced to party leaders at the meeting. After filing her nomination on June 23, Patil will campaign in all state capitals. She will be accompanied by three Union Ministers, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, Prithviraj Chavan and a woman Minister, said Congress sources.

Sources said the Kalam effect, if any, could be reflected in the UPA-Left choice for the Vice President. They said the party could try and balance those who may be annoyed with the UPA for not backing Kalam, both a Muslim and seen as a non-political, non-partisan choice. In fact, names of several “eminent Muslim” candidates are being speculated upon.