Click to play videoNew Delhi:Controversies around Congress candidate for the post of President, Pratibha Patil, seems to be snowballing everyday.
A fresh war of words has erupted with the BJP training its guns on Pratibha Patil yet again.
First the Opposition wanted UPA leaders to replace their Presidential candidate, and now senior BJP leader L K Advani has sought the Election Commission's intervention, saying she has not disclosed her assets.
Advani says that it should be compulsory for the Presidential nominees to declare their assets.
In his letter, which is to be submitted to the Election Commission on Monday, the former deputy prime minister points out that people fighting elections are required to disclose their assets, which, Pratibha Patil has not done.
Party sources said that Advani has also highlighted the allegations Patil is facing as head of a cooperative bank in his letter.
Pratibha has been accused of mismanaging a cooperative bank that went bust in 2002 and shielding her brother in a murder case ever since her name was proposed by the UPA.
Last week, Advani - whose party is supporting Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in the race for Rashtrapati Bhavan - called for a conscience vote in Shekhawat's favour.
On Friday, he also "appealed" to UPA leaders to replace her with a suitable candidate of their choice after the Congress called upon Shekhawat to quit the race and allow a woman to become President.
Patil, meanwhile, has not taken this latest attack on her lying down. She has hit back at charges of financial irregularities against her, describing them as baseless.
"The malicious allegations made against me are false and baseless. I will continue to serve the nation with humility and deep sense of duty," she said.
On Monday, she launched her campaign with a rally organised by the DMK in Chennai.
SC to hear petition for cancellation of Patil's candidature
Meanwhile, troubles seem to be plaguing Pratibha from all fronts. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court is all set to hear a petition seeking to cancel her nomination papers.
The petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma was mentioned on Monday before a bench comprising Justice Tarun Chatterjee and Justice P K Balasubramanyan.
In the petition, the advocate has referred to the allegations against Patil and her family members for cancelling her nomination papers.
(With inputs from PTI)
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