New Delhi: The battleground is ready and the main candidates are in the fray. But the run-up to Presidential Polls 2007 has also seen much political lobbying and mudslinging.
Now with the numbers in the race stacked firmly in favour of the UPA-Left candidate Pratibha Patil, the Centre is making one final attempt to avoid a bitter contest.
Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN Editor In Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi appealed to NDA candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to consider bowing out of the race.
Given below are the excerpts from the interview:
Rajdeep Sardesai: If you have the numbers are sure of a victory in the Presidential contest, why can’t you reach out to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and get him to withdraw?
Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: First of all, I think the number is known to Shekhawat ji. (While) as a representative of the candidate I cannot say, but as a minister I still feel the respect that the Vice president received from all of quarters and from the House in Rajya Sabha and his own perception about Indian women and women empowerment may lead him to take a decision. I feel if he just raises an instance by withdrawing from the contest, it will not be a defeat for him, it will be a glory for women empowerment of the country (sic).
Rajdeep Sardesai: So will you reach out to him on the issue of Pratibha Patil?
Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: I have benefited too much by his affection in discharging my duty in Parliament, from his consulation and advice and I still feel that as the father figure of Rajya Sabha, he should support his own former deputy chairman - who’s a lady – to pave the way for her victory, not in terms of a battle but as a conscious (decision).
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