UP: Pratibha addresses BSP, Cong MLAs, MPs

Lucknow, July 14: UPA-Left presidential candidate Pratibha Patil today said despite the Opposition effort to malign her image, she was confident of becoming the first woman President of the country.

Ms Patil, who reached here late tonight from Guwahati, met state Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati at the latter's residence and rushed to a leading city hotel to address MPs and MLAs from Congress, BSP and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).

Addressing herself as their sister, she said despite efforts to malign her image, she was hopeful that she would get their votes in the election.

"I am aware of the responsibilities the post brings and I would try to live up to the expectations of the common man," she said.

The former Rajasthan governor said her election to Rashtrapati Bhawan would be the victory of the common man. "The country is making strides in the field of economic development. The development should percolate to the lowest level so that the common man could benefit from it," she said.

She said though the Indian culture was old, India, as a nation, was quite young. But the Constitution provides us with a strong base to continue our march, she added.

Besides Ms Mayawati, AICC general secretary in charge of UP affairs Ashok Gehlot, Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal and RLD leader Kokab Hamid were also present.

The BSP with 208 MLAs has extended its support to the UPA-Left nominee.

The main Opposition Samajwadi Party in the state has so far decided against voting in the elections.

Ms Patil is likely to stay in Lucknow for the night before proceeding for Uttrakhand tomorrow morning.

UNI

RelatedStories

>