All parties should support Pratibha: AICC

Puducherry, June 17 (UNI) AICC Secretary Sudhakar Reddy today appealed to all political parties to support the candidature of Prathibha Patil for the presidential election.

Talking to newspersons on the sidelines of the swearing in function of Mr Kandasamy today, he said shedding aside all political differences, all parties should support Mrs Patil and elect her unanimously without any contest, since she is a woman candidate.

Mr Reddy also thanked UPA Chairperson and AICC President Sonia Gandhi for fielding ''an honest, efficient, generous and sincere candidate.'' He said he had combined his discussion with the leaders of all Congress wings, besides Chief Minister and ministers. He would also meet the office-bearers individually, if necessary, to sort out the problems.

Mr Reddy said the government was implementing many developmental programmes and fulfilled the promises given to the people in the election manifesto during the last one year in office.

He said the AICC was all set to fill up the heads for all cells in the party shortly. Steps were also being taken to reorganise Frontal Organisations, if necessary. The posts of various government boards and corporations would also be filled up soon, adding he had discussed the issue with the Chief Minister.

On the demand from alliance partners to form a co-ordination committee, Mr Reddy said the matter would be discussed in the right forum at the appropriate time. They should not go to the press, since the Congress was preparing for discussions, he added.

Mr Reddy reiterated his appeal to all political parties to support the candidature of Pratibha Patil. A group of defeated, disgruntled and ineffective people formed the Third Front, which would achieve nothing.

UNI