BJP says PM's comments in defence of Pratibha ironical, comic

New Delhi, June 28 (UNI) The BJP today said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's comments in defence of UPA-Left's 'tainted' presidential candidate Pratibha Patil were "not only ironical but also comical." Talking to newspersons, BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said allegations against Ms Patil were not made by either BJP or any opposition parties and could not be described as "mudslinging." These were not allegations but facts which had taken place much before her filing of nomination as UPA candidate for the Presidential election, he said.

The party asked the Prime Minister who himself had been a former RBI Governor, whether it was wrong that the RBI in its inspection report year 2003 had severely condemned the entire working of Pratibha Mahila Sahakari Bank of which Ms Patil was the founder chairperson. The report had found that the bank deposits of small depositors were squandered in giving irregular loans to various family members of Mrs Patil in utter disregard of banking norms. The RBI subsequently recommended closure of the bank.

The BJP pointed out that the Finance Minister had cancelled the banking licence of the said bank on the basis of this report.

Besides, the party also drew the PM's attention towards the irregularities taken place in the Muktabai Co-operative sugar factory which was owned by Ms Patil's family. It said large funds were diverted from the bank following which the administrative officer had issued a show-cause notice to the bank after liquidation.

Mr Prasad said the sugar factory closed much before it had begun its production and the bank "played with hard earned money of small depositors. He asserted that such questions concerning irregularities relating to public money were quite legitimate, particularly when these were linked to a person contesting for the highest constitutional post and could be the future President of India.

He also pointed out that the employees of the said bank had disclosed that their one-day salary deducted for Kargil fund was never deposited in the fund. The President is also the Supreme Commander of the armed forces of the country.

Mr Prasad said the cooperative bank had also disregarded the constitutional requirements and appointed family members to fill up posts meant for SC, ST and OBC.

It was surprising that the Government, particularly the Prime Minister who himself was an experienced administrator, did not bother to collect information, from either Intelligence Bureau or other agencies about Ms Patil and her family before fielding her as UPA-Left's presidential candidate.

Maintaining the Government was aware of all "facts", he reiterated BJP's charge that it was done by the UPA with a purpose to have not only a "pliant" but also a "vulnerable" President.

UNI