Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: In what would be a first in the Indian politics, Rajendra Shekhawat, the son of President Pratibha Patil, has been given a Congress ticket to contest the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls.
As per unconfirmed reports Tuesday, Rajendra alias Raosaheb Shekhawat has been given the ticket from his home turf Amravati in Vidarbha.
However, the move may have constitutional implications as it would be the first time in Indian democracy’s history that a serving President’s kin has been given ticket to contest elections.
Interestingly, Minister of State for Finance Sushil Deshmukh has held the Amravati Assembly seat for the last two terms and had raised a banner of revolt after Shekhawat sought the party ticket to contest from Amravati.
Shekhwat on the other hand is certain of his claim to the family pocket borough. "I am banking on my work done over the last several years in Amravati, where I have been associated with educational institutions and social work," Shekhawat had said while pitching for the seat.
Cong dismisses suggestions that Prez has put it in quandary
Congress tonight dismissed
suggestions that President Pratibha Patil had put it in a
quandary with her son Rajendra Shekhawat seeking a nomination
for the Assembly polls in Maharashtra.
"Please do not involve President of India in this
question. Please don't drag her name. She is not involved in
any of the issue concerning politics," Maharashtra Chief
Minister Ashok Chavan told reporters.
NCP General Secretary Praful Patel spoke in similar vein
at a joint news conference at the AICC headquarters. MPCC
chief Manikrao Thakre was also present.
Asked whether it was proper for a son of the President
to contest, the Chief Minister insisted that "in a democratic
country, every citizen is entitled to contest elections".
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 00:41