NDA keeps aloof from accusations

NDA on Friday sought to distance itself from allegations levelled against UPA candidate Pratibha Patil by the wife of a slain Congress leader of Jalgaon, Maharashtra and made it very clear that it was opposed to her due to her politics and not because of personal factors.

Vehemently repudiating Congress charges that the NDA was behind the move, NDA spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said, "We have not indulged in levelling personal charges against the UPA candidate. Nor shall we do so till the election is over."

She made it clear that the NDA did not wish to made comments of personal nature against Pratibha Patil. "We are not fighting an individual but a mindset, and the NDA will never stoop to the level of casting aspersions on the UPA candidate," Swaraj said.

Asked about the NDA's reaction to the possibility that some of the UNPA constituents might not go with the NDA in view of their political, the BJP leader said, "UNPA or no UNPA, Shekhawat will contest as NDA backed independent candidate and we are certain of his victory."