Saamna hails choice of Pratibha Patil

Mumbai, June 15 (UNI) The Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), today described the prospect of Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil assuming office of President as an ''historic moment''.

''Saamna'', the party mouthpiece, said the candidature of Ms Patil was the first ever opportunity for a Maharashtrian and a woman to be the President.

The front page article in the paper said all eyes were on the Shiv Sena's stand. ''Even though the earlier contender union Home Minister Shivraj Patil was a Maharashtrian, Sena supremo Bal Thackeray made it clear that the party could not support him just because he is a Maharashtrian and said Mr Patil should first clarify what contribution he had made for the state. Pratibhatai is a Maharashtrian and also a woman,'' The article said.

The article stated that Mr Thackeray will convene a meeting of party leaders to discuss the issue and then announce the Shiv Sena's stand in the next two days. The party has 22,950 votes in the electoral college for the Presidential election.

UNI