I take no responsibility for what Pratibha does: Bardhan

RIGHT TO CLAIM: Bardhan says Pratibha is a simple woman who has not been charged of any crime.

      

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Karan Thapar: Hello and welcome to Devil’s Advocate. The Left has claimed credit for proposing Pratibha Patil as a candidate for the Presidency of India. So how do they react to the serious allegation she faces? That’s the issue I shall raise with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) A B Bardhan.

Mr Bardhan when Pratibha Patil was first suggested as the UPA-Left candidate for the Presidency, you said – “I was one of those who jumped on it because it was a very good name.” Today, after the spate of newspaper stories questioning her integrity and her beliefs, do you think you have chosen the wrong person for the Presidency?

A B Bardhan: I never thought you will fall for the lies manufactured by BJP’s dirty tricks.

Karan Thapar: You call them lies, but lets explore some of them in detail. Let us begin with the Pratibha Mahila Sahakari Bank. She was it’s chairperson and later its director. And even when she hasn’t held those posts, she has been the critical person running the bank.

In 2003, when the Reserve Bank of India closed the bank, it commented – “allowing the bank to carry on banking business would be detrimental to the interest of present and future shareholders and hence it’s license is hereby cancelled.”

Should a woman who virtually presided over a failed bank be the next President of India?

A B Bardhan: Well, so many institutions fail. That’s quite another question. But she was the chairperson only for a certain period.

Karan Thapar: I am afraid I have to correct you.

A B Bardhan: Facts have been proved before.

Karan Thapar: You are talking about facts, let me draw your attention to Board Resolution number 23 of the Pratibha Mahila Sahakari Bank passed on January 22, 2002. It authorised Pratibha Patil to appoint the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive. So even when she wasn’t the chairperson, she was running the bank.

A B Bardhan: As the promoter and most important person there.

Karan Thapar: Regardless of what capacity, she was running the bank. When she fails, she takes responsibility for the failure.

A B Bardhan: I think the full answer has been given. Documents have shown that she was the chairperson only for a certain period. But if there’s any responsibility that accrues to her, the Reserve Bank is there to take note of it.

Karan Thapar: In fact it’s not just the Reserve Bank, I’m afraid Pratibha Patil stands accused in front of the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court, and she is charged with mismanagement of the bank and misappropriation of funds. Should a woman so accused in a High Court, be the next President of India?

A B Bardhan: When, how and who has challenged her? All types of litigations can come in now.

Karan Thapar: But the case has been admitted by the court. She is respondent number eight.

A B Bardhan: When was this case filed?

Karan Thapar: A couple of years ago.

A B Bardhan: Then why is she respondent number eight if she was the chairperson?

Karan Thapar: Because for the simple reason that all the other members of the board take precedence over her. But as I quoted to you on January 22 by Board Resolution number 23, she was authorised to appoint the directors and chief executive. She is the person running the bank.