Vajpayee should explain 145;friendly appeal146;: Congress

The Congress on Friday sought to downplay Jethmalani8217;s withdrawal from the contest and demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister as to what 8216;8216;frightened8217;8217; him to request his main opponent to get out of the fray. 8216;8216;It is unprecedented that Vajpayee, who is the mascot of the BJP in the elections, has to make such an appeal,8217;8217; party spokesman Anand Sharma said. On whether Jethmalani withdrew under 8216;8216;pressure8217;8217;, Sharma said: 8216;8216;We accept his word8230; If there is any other reason, we are not privy to it.8217;8217; 8212; PTI