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Kolkata, Jul 16 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party Chairman Bhim Singh today urged Trinamool Congress Supremo Mamata Banerjee to 'follow her conscience' while voting during the Presidential poll on July 19.

''I will meet Ms Banerjee and urge her to demonstrate her wisdom and courage, which she has always done in the people's interest,'' Prof Singh, a veteran political activist, told UNI here.

Condemning the politicisation of the Presidential election, he said never in the history of independent India had it happened that there was any campaign for Presidential candidates or involvement of any political party.

He described UPA nominee Pratibha Patil as a 'highly tainted' person 'involved' in several financial anomalies and other criminal cases.

''In no way does she befits the Raisina Hills,'' he opined.

Lambasting the Congress led UPA government for campaigning for Ms Patil, Prof Singh said, ''The Congress wants to fulfil their own vested interests by making her the President. They want to utilise her in the selection of the prime minister in future.'' However, there is not a single charge against former Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, he added.

''He is an honest man and has shown dignity and grace by saying that he will support President APJ Abdul Kalam if he fights the election again,'' said Prof Singh, who had refused the 7.3 million barrels contract by the UN committee dealing with Oil-for-Food programme in sanction-struck Iraq.

He said 20 per cent Congress leaders supported Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

UNI