Congress downplays Pratibha's purdah remarks

New Delhi, June 18: The Congress today sought to downplay the controversy kicked up by the statement of UPA-Left Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil that 'purdah' (veil) system was introduced in India to protect women from Mughal aggressors. Party spokesman Satyavrat Chaturvedi told mediapersons here that she had perhaps sought to convey the plight of the womenfolk in our society.

Asked if the Congress Party concurred with her views, he did not give a direct reply, but said : "I can't change history...nobody can." To repeated questions, he said he would not be able to venture into chronology of introduction of 'purdah' system.

Asked about the allegations of corruption against former Congress Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Mr Chaturvedi said ''it has nothing to do with the Congress and the AICC.'' "The issue is before the court and it will take its views," he said.

The allegation against Capt Amarinder Singh is that he and his family members have made Rs 100 crore through corrupt means in the 1240 crore LCC project under which country's biggest shopping complex was to come up on 26 acres of land.

UNI