Kaun Banega Next Prez

[Guest]

It seems it is Pratibha Shekhawat Patil. Governer of Rajasthan.

[Guest]

<b>Pratibha Patil is UPA's candidate for president's post</b>

Profile: President-to-be Pratibha Patil
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Married to Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat, an educationist by profession whose family had migrated from Shekhawati region of Rajasthan to Jalgaon a few generations back, Patil has one daughter Jyoti Rathore and a son Rajendra Singh.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

It means Congress don't have numbers and Shekhawat will be new Prezident. <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Why they are not using her husband's last name "Shekhawat? Again Queen is trying to play caste politics. Here it is Thakur - Thakur. She can't think beyond caste.

[Guest]

Reposting an earlier post - article by Tarun Vijay:
<!--QuoteBegin-Viren+Jun 2 2007, 11:03 AM-->QUOTE(Viren @ Jun 2 2007, 11:03 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Too much to ask for a woman Prez?
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Not much is known about Pratibha Patil
NDTV link
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The <b>71-year-old Congress leader </b>is leading the race to become India's first woman president.

Pratibha Patil has been <b>Governor of Rajasthan for nearly three years</b>. She is not only the <b>first woman governor of the state, but also the only woman Governor in the country</b>.

The <b>former deputy chairperson of Rajya Sabha </b>is also a prominent leader from Maharashtra who once headed the Maharashtra Congress.



Patil has been <b>elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly five times</b> and has been a member of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

A <b>lawyer by profession</b>, she also runs <b>training institutes for the poor and the disabled</b>. She has a sporty edge and <b>was a Table Tennis champion</b> in her college days.
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Rediff profile

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Nearly eight years after her tenure as Lok Sabha member had ended in 1996, Patil, <b>a staunch of Nehru-Gandhi family and a non-controversial personality</b>, had gone into a virtual political wilderness before she was brought in as Rajasthan governor in November 2004.
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[Guest]

So, once again, what was NDA's problem with the second term to Dr. Abdul Kalam?

[Guest]

Within NDA some local parties other than BJP were against Kalam or Muslim candidate. Right now caste is more important.
Left and RJD are against Kalam. Kalam had no chance.

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>"This announcement does not enhance the prestige of Pratibha Patil but it is an insult to leaders like Shivraj Patil, Pranab Mukherjee and Karan Singh whose names Congress itself floated as candidates for this prestigious election and then came with a different nominee altogether,"</b> senior BJP leader VK Malhotra said.
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->link
For the record, Sonia expressed gratitude to the UPA's partners for working together in this regard, though it would take her long to get over the bitterness.

Sonia made the announcement in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at whose residence the Left-UPA coordination committee met. The meeting was attended, among others, by DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, senior Left leaders Prakash Karat, Abani Roy and AB Bardhan, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Sharad Pawar.

Shivraj Patil, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, and Arjun Singh were also present at the meeting.
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[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Congress banks on caste card</b>
Congress leaders feel that Pratibha is a perfect blend of what all the constituents of UPA and the Left want. According to Congress leaders, the biggest factor is that she is a woman. Though long-term Sonia confidante Mohsina Kidwai's name was also discussed for the presidential nominee, she lost out to Pratibha. A senior leader said: "Kidwai lost out because of Pratibha's strong political background, her grooming in Maharashtra and the biggest factor that unlike Shivraj Patil, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Karan Singh, <b>she is not an `evident' rubber stamp</b>."
..............
A senior leader pointed out: "Pratibha appears a strong woman. She has retained her maiden name. She is married to a Shekhawat. This fact would help her in Rajasthan - an NDA-ruled State." 
............
Pratibha has been an MLA, an MP in Lok Sabha and even deputy chairperson of Rajya Sabha. "With such credentials, the Left's insistence that the nominee should not be apolitical has been met," said another leader.

At a very micro level, Pratibha represents a good caste combination for UPA-Left to poach into other parties' votes also. <b>She is a Maharashtrian Kunbi married to a Shekhawat. </b>A senior Congress leader said: "Even Bhairon Singh Shekhawat should think twice before contesting a woman candidate, who has been very active in Maharashtra politics and is married to a Shekhawat from Rajasthan, " said a Congress leader.
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Retaining her maiden name means, woman is strong, what a garbage?
She is not evident rubber stamp. <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Advani rejects PM's 'insincere' plea</b>
Mocking at the Prime Minister's attempt to portray the Congress' choice as a 60th anniversary tribute to India's womanhood, a senior BJP leader pointed out, "This is the first time in 60 years that caste has been made a criterion for selecting a presidential candidate. It is sad and lamentable."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Vajpayee draws battlelines</b>
Apparently rattled by the prospect of Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat providing a formidable challenge to the UPA candidate, Manmohan Singh and Sonia spoke to Vajpayee on phone seeking a consensus on the UPA's nominee.

<b>But they drew a blank. Vajpayee, who is the NDA chairperson and has been authorised to take a final decision on the issue, bluntly told them that the opposition alliance was "unable" to back their candidate.</b>

"You announced the candidate without taking our opinion. Besides we too have our own candidate and we are, therefore, unable to support you," a statement issued by the BJP late on Thursday night said quoting Vajpayee.

Though the NDA is yet to formally announce its candidate, the prospect that its support to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as an independent candidate could upset the UPA gameplan seems to have rattled the UPA camp managers.

Even as Sonia and Manmohan Singh were trying to extend an olive branch to Vajpayee, Congress trouble-shooters were trying to drive a wedge in the NDA camp by approaching Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

<b>Sources said that the Prime Minister himself talked to Nitish Kumar to seek support for Pratibha as she would be the first woman President of India. But he was bluntly told that the Left parties that were supporting the UPA had last time espoused the candidature of Laxmi Sehgal, but the Congress had not supported her</b>. <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
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[Guest]

Yet another token appointee by the UPA and their puppet-master, Queen Sonia. Not even 24 hours have passed since the nomination, and the token # 2 has expressed her heartfelt ''gratitude' (to be read as undying gratitude and servitude) to the Queen for the nomination, just like token # 1 (ManMohan SIngh) did when appointed as the PM by the Queen.

Although the Queen will try to pass this off as a gender issue (first female president, and all that jazz) no one is fooled into believing that this is anything more than a token appointment, one that will serve the Queen well politically when she or her offspring try once again to become the PM. While Abdul Kalam gave an emphatic NO, and thus a heavy blow, to the Queen's political aspirations, there is no doubt that token # 2 will whimper out a 'yes' to any demand from the Queen.

If this nomination goes through, on the day of Patil taking office as the President, I propose to gift her a box of boot polish, imported all the way from Italy, with instructions on where and how exactly to rub it on her puppet-master for maximum effect.

[Guest]

ANTI-SONIA CAUCUS IN CONG-UPA-COMMIES HUMILIATES & DEFEATS SONIA

KARUNANIDHI PAWAR PRANAB KARAT MANMOHAN
REJECT SONIA’S DOORMAT LOYALISTS. IMPOSE SONIA-NUETRAL WOMAN
CAESAR SONIA’S AUTHORITY IS DETHRONED
By SIDDHARTHA

The Process of selecting a UPA Nominee for the Presidential Elections climaxed in to a Roman Tragedy.

Today’s Brutus, the Anti-Sonia Caucus, stabbed the Caesar of the Congress Party Sonia.

The Anti-Sonia Caucus killed Sonia’s hitherto high pedestal leadership. Sonia has been humiliated and defeated by the Anti-Sonia Caucus.

Sonia’s opponents in the Congress, Congress Allies and Communists have defeated Congress President Sonia.

The Anti-Sonia Lobby consolidated in to a Ginger Group, Confabulated with each other and Conspired Together to humiliate Sonia.

Individually and Together they rejected each of the names that Sonia proposed.

Sonia thus failed to get a Sonia Doormat Loyalist nominated as the UPA Candidate.

Sonia has thus lost the physical and moral authority of Leadership of the UPA.
Sonia is now Chairperson of the UPA for just names sake, without any power or Authority to influence or overrule the Allies. Position without respect is no position at all.
<b>THE SHARKS: KARAT AND BARDHAN LED COMMUNISTS</b>

The Quattrochchi Scam in which Sonia subverted the entire Government, Shamed India worldwide and made the Congress Allies defenceless morons in the public esteem, established to the Communists that Sonia has chosen Loyalty to Foreign Fugitive Quattrochchi over the Loyalty to India. Sonia destroyed her credibility and thus lost esteem.

The Communists are like Sharks. Once they smell blood, then they Zero in and go for the kill. They mincemeat and devour every morsel of the victim. The Punjab, uttarakhand, Delhi and UP Elections confirmed to the Communists that Sonia added no value to either the Congress or the UPA. Sonia was a liability that has to be soon pushed off from the high pedestal they had placed.

<b>THE SCORPION: PRANAB MUKHERJEE</b>

Pranab Mukherjee was the principal Conspirator from within the Congress. Pranab sabotaged every move made by Sonia. Pranab has thus confirmed Sonia’s worst suspicion that Pranab does not and never deserves Sonia’s Trust. No Scorpion can better the sting that Pranab gave Sonia not just in opposing Rajiv in 1984 but now in stinging Sonia and her authority. Watch out for the Sting in the Tail of a Scorpion. Pranab pushed out of the President’s Race packed a lethal sting in the Tail to debilitate Sonia forever.

<b>THE CROCODILE: MANMOHAN SINGH</b>

Manmohan Singh manipulated the scenario by betraying Sonia to her opponents. Every move of Sonia to which manmohan was privy was Communicated to Sonia’s opponents. Centuries ago the term Crocodile Tears was possibly coined visualising a Manmohan!

<b>THE SNAKE: SHARAD PAWAR</b>

Sharad Pawar has always been an enemy of Sonia. At crunch time Pawar has demonstrated the intensity of poison in his fangs. The Pawar Snake has fatally bit Sonia murdering her leadership of the UPA.

<b>THE FOX: KARUNANIDHI</b>

Karunanidhi has proved to be the wily Fox. The dramatic Role of Brutus was invented by Shakespeare centuries ago probably visualising a future Karunanidhi. Julius Ceaser of Rome felt the pain of Brutus’s knife more than all the stabs of others. Sonia Maino of Rome Neighbourhood felt the pain of Karunanidhi’s Knife more than that of all the Stabs by the Karat’s, Bardhan’s, Pawar’s and others. Karunanidhi scripted the downfall of Sonia so perfectly that until the fatal stab by him Sonia trusted him.

If Sonia is as dumb as she proved to be then Sonia will keep trusting her betrayers and tormentors.
WATCH THIS SPACE TOMORROW

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-Raju+Jun 15 2007, 07:33 AM-->QUOTE(Raju @ Jun 15 2007, 07:33 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>THE CROCODILE: MANMOHAN SINGH</b>
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AJGAR (python) I would say.

[Guest]

Sonia being dumb is too much of a spin here. I guess Pratibha Patil is Gandhi family insider. It might be a pre-planned strategy to keep the Left guessing.

In the chess game she brought the woman factor too.

It is not easy for NDA sponsored candidate now because of unanimity in UPA+Left. Good chess play from Sonia.

[Guest]

Don't forget in last election, Laxmi Sehgal, INA freedom fighter, a woman received zero vote from Congress. So why UPA is making first woman nonsense. During last election they voted for Kalam, a muslim, a male. This election is all about caste.

Look at how there caste and relgion based divide and rule is playing on streets.

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Jun 15 2007, 08:00 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Jun 15 2007, 08:00 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Don't forget in last election, Laxmi Sehgal, INA freedom fighter, a woman received zero vote from Congress. So why UPA is making first woman nonsense. During last election they voted for Kalam, a muslim, a male. This election is all about caste.

Look at how there caste and relgion based divide and rule is playing on streets.
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Absolutely.

Will the opposition garner any votes by what you have written above as campagin point? Impossible. The media and UPA will just drum up the woman aspect in a bigway so that there will be no cross voting. That is Sonia's best chess move.

Now Shiv Sena is moving in a regional mode rather than anti congressism. That is not good for BJP sponsored candidate. BJP needs to make a different move in the game that combines all the votes of Third front and NDA plus a chance to get the cross votes from across.

[Guest]

I still suspect DMK and WB left parties may vote against Patil.

Congress greatest achivements till now is partition of India, dividing states on language basis, dividing education institution based on religion and now breaking country on caste basis.
Shiv Sena is result of Congress greatest achivement, they can't think beyond Marathi..

You don't need enemies to invade India, Invite someone from Europe to rule them, they did it in 18th centur and now they are repeating same.

[Guest]

Are there any Nationalist leaning Maharastrian Dalit and well educated person? Should be a woman too. Looks like a matrimonial ad <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->

NDA needs to find such formulas and ditch Shekawat for now.

[ramana]

I wonder if Najma Heptuallah can be the NDA candidate? She can be good choice.

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-ramana+Jun 15 2007, 11:12 PM-->QUOTE(ramana @ Jun 15 2007, 11:12 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->I wonder if Najma Heptuallah can be the NDA candidate? She can be good choice.
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Could give a tough fight( even if Shiv Sena opposes) and might make sense too in the prevailing atmosphere.

BJP already thinking of new candidates.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jun/15prez5.htm

[Guest]

These are numbers:

Figure stacked in the Presidential race:
Congress 280,000
UPA allies 141,000
Left 111,000
UPA total 532,000
BSP 57,200
NDA and rest of the parties including SP 511,000

from IBN

NDA clearly has the chances to play the spoiler here if they stick together.

Raju: What's the source of the story titled: "KARUNANIDHI PAWAR PRANAB KARAT MANMOHAN REJECT SONIA’S DOORMAT LOYALISTS. IMPOSE SONIA-NUETRAL WOMAN CAESAR SONIA’S AUTHORITY IS DETHRONED"

Find it hard to believe that Manmohan would betray Sonia G. Maybe Pawar, Karat, Kurna, Pranab - never Manmohan.