Pratibha must disclose assets, Advani tells EC

After his call to UPA leaders to replace their presidential candidate Pratibha Patil, senior BJP leader L K Advani has sought the Election Commission's intervention, saying she has not disclosed her assets and that she faced serious allegations.

In his letter, which is to be submitted to the Election Commision on Monday, the former deputy prime minister points out that people fighting elections are required to disclose their assets, which, he said, she has not done.

The leader of the Opposition, party sources said, also highlighted the allegations Patil is facing as head of a cooperative bank and those levelled by a woman that the former Rajasthan Governor protected her brother in connection with a murder case.

Last week, the BJP veteran, whose party is supporting vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, called for a conscience vote in favour of the NDA-backed presidential candidate.

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.