Fernandes slams Thackeray for condoning Pratibha Patil's taint

New Delhi, June 30 (UNI) Accusing Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray of being parochial in supporting UPA presidential candidate Pratibha Patil, NDA convenor George Fernandes today also charged him with ''succumbing to the wishes of the Italian born who did not even care to become an Indian citizen for 15 years by condoning a tainted person simply because she happens to be a Maharashtrian.'' Reminding him that he had rightly been opposing a foreign born person from occupying a constitutional post in the national interests, Mr Fernandes told Mr Thackeray '' The Congress president has not nominated a Maharashtrian because she loves Maharashtra but because she wants a rubber stamp.'' '' It is clear she does not care enough for our country or else she would not try to force a tainted person into the august chair of the President of india,'' he added.

In an open letter to the Shiv Sena Chief, Mr Fernandes, the Janata Dal (United) MP, said since '' the facts'' (charges against Mrs Patil) are being brought out by the media '' it becomes our duty to take note and protect the chair ( of President ) from the discredit that the Congress president wishes to bring to it.'' Stating that he has been constrained to write to him after a personal meeting with him, the NDA convenor asked Mr Thackeray '' It is time for you to decide whether your party stands for nationalism or parochialism, for fiscal impropriety and possible inerference with justice or for integrity and honour in public life.'' Without pitching for NDA-backed Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Mr Fernandes appealed to the Shiv Sena chief to '' stand by your country and the aspirations of all Indians for an independent, honest and capable person to grace the chair of Rashtrapati Bhavan.'' ''Mrs Pratibha Patil is not that kind of person, even though she may hail from Maharashtra,'' he added.

By appealing to ''very narrow parochial'' sentiment in supporting Mrs Patil merely because she is a Maharastrian, Mr Fernandes accused Mr Thackeray of condoning the fact that his nominee of the Congress was a part of financial bungling, and siphoning of funds from a mismanaged cooperative bank to benefit her close family members.

He alleged ''the Congress president was well aware of all these when she nominated her.'' UNI