Uma favours nomination of woman but not happy with Pratibha

Jaipur, June 24 (UNI) Bharatiya Janshakti Party leader Uma Bharti today lauded the decision of ruling Congress-led UPA government to field a woman for the country's highest constitutional office but questioned the candidature of Ms Pratibha Patil, saying ''except being a woman there is nothing commendable about her nomination.'' Speaking at the Meet the Press programme, organised at the Pink City Press Club here, the firebrand leader questioned Ms Pratibha's contribution. ''What is the contribution of Ms Patil in the political and social sphere?'' she asked.

''I support the nomination of a woman to the post but except that there is nothing to cheer about the UPA candidature of Ms Patil'', Ms Bharti said.

She said the Congress had no dearth of women leaders of substance and they could have chosen a better person with more credentials.

Ms Bharti said she favoured a non-political person with political insight and understanding to occupy the highest constitution post.

She alleged that she felt there was some political motive behind the nomination of Ms Patil. ''I have a lurking fear in my mind reminicing of then President Fakruddin Ali Ahmed who had endorsed the decision of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to declare Emergency.'' Ms Bharti alleged that Congress President Sonia Gandhi chose Ms Patil with an eye on the 2009 Assembly elections and added such decisions were not in the national interest.

UNI