Bhim Singh to campaign against Pratibha Patil

New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) The National Panthers' Party today began a nationwide campaign against UPA Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil and in support of Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and said it would persuade the electoral college to back Mr Shekhawat.

A three-member delegation led by Party Chief Bhim Singh, left here this evening and will travel to Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Bihar till July 17.

The other members of the delegation are Party MLAs from Jammu, Balwant Singh Mankotia and Faqir Nath.

Mr Bhim Singh told reporters before leaving that he would also meet Congress MPs and other leaders and urge them to elect Mr Shekhawat.

''You have a choice between Ms Pratibha Patil and Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Ms Patil represents the Congress, Communists and the Shiv Sena whereas Mr Shekhawat is an independent candidate who represents the entire people irrespective of the region, state or religion. This is unfortunate that Ms Patil has been admittedly found involved in several financial irregualirities and episodes,'' Mr Bhim Singh said.

UNI