Cong lists Pratibha's merits

Having pulled off a coup against unrelenting allies and speculative rivals by naming Pratibha Patil as the UPA's choice for President, the Congress was today out to score points by daring the NDA to match their "gender" concerns.

"This is not mere symbolism,'' party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said, hailing "Patil's choice as a tribute to Indian womanhood.'' She said the choice was "rather an important indicator that the UPA and its allies are totally committed to the cause of women and their progress.''

Jayanthi said the NDA leaders, who refused to support Patil, "lacked political grace, social commitment or moral fibre to support the candidature of the first women President.''

Other Congress leaders are also rediscovering merit in Pratibha Patil, a day after most of them expressed surprise at the choice. "She is a very capable person - soft-spoken and firm,'' remarked a senior AICC leader.

Another Congress leader from Maharashtra said "Pratibhatai was chief of the state pradesh Congress committee during crucial times and yet there was not a single allegation of impropriety against her.''

Another leader pointed out her low profile, which kept her out of public memory, as the "greatest qualification for becoming President.''

He said given her track record of working for social causes, her presence in Rashtrapati Bhavan would give a new dimension to the common man's relationship with the highest authority in India.

A large group of activists from the Mahila Congress, the women's wing of the party, marched from the Akbar road-situated AICC office to 10, Janpath, to thank party president Sonia Gandhi for elevating a self-made women to the top position.

Pratibha Patil, meanwhile, arrived here late last night and is expected to meet senior Congress leaders.