BJP levelling baseless allegations against Ms Patil: Congress

Shimla, Jul 16 (UNI) A senior Congress lead today accused the BJP of levelling baseless allegations aaginst the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) president candidate Pratibha Patil, saying will win the elections with a thumping majority.

Talking to mediapersons here, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Pratap Bhanu Sharma, party's observer for the presidential election in the hill state, said the Congress with its own 3.14 lakh electoral vote and a combined vote share of 6.30 lakh was sure to win the elections.

Mr Sharma said the BJP was trying to malign the party's presidential candidate following the UNPA parties decision to abstain from the elections.

Besides the UNPA, even a long term alliance partner of the BJP, the Shiv Sena, has also decided to vote in favour of the Congress candidate, he said.

Mr Sharma said he was here as an observer to the state to ensure the support of elected members of the party for the UPA consensus candidate.

Referring to former tourism minister Vijay Singh Mankotia, who has been suspended from the Congress, he said that the party had sought his vote for Ms Patil as he had only been suspended and not expelled.

UNI