JD(S) Surendran Mohan faciton to support Pratibha Patil

Bangalore, Jun 28 (UNI) The faction of the Janata Dal(S) led by Surendra Mohan has decided to support the UPA-Left presidential candidate Smt Pratibha Patil.

Addressing newsmen here today Mr Surendra Mohan said the party's national executive which was meeting here has discussed the issue and has decided to support Mrs Patil in the July 19 Presidential elections.

Mr Mohan also informed that Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh and National Congress Party (NCP) president and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar also approached him and appealed to support the UPA-Left sponsored candidate in the presidential election.

He said even though the party has serious differences with the UPA government policies on Agriculture, opening the Indian Market for multinational companies in the area of Retail Trading and Centre's plan to introduce Seeds act, the party took a decision to support Mrs Patil in the President's election.

Describing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) sponsored presidential candidate Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as Bharatiya Janata Party's core cadre Candidate Mr Mohan said that nobody can accept him a candidate enjoying pure secular credentials.

The Surendra Mohan faction of the JD(S) has five legislators in Kerala, a Rajya Sabha member and also some MLAs in Karnataka including Mr P G R Sindhia, who is spearheading campaign against former Prime Minister Mr H D Deve Gowda and his son Mr H D Kumaraswamy, State chief minister.

Replying to question Mr Surendra Mohan has said that his faction has put a strong plea before the Central Election Commission, requesting for allotting party's symbol as they represent the true policy and programmes of the party. After having joined hands with Communal forces former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda could not claim that he represents Janata Dal (Secular), he said. Party's Parliamentary Board Chairman and Rajya Sabha member Mr M P Virendra Kumar was also present at the meeting.

UNI