Mangalore: Oscar Fernandes says he's Not Eligible for President's Post
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, May 5: With many of the top names making the rounds for the President’s post, general secretary of All India Congress Committee and Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes said that a candidate will be finalized after consultation with the UPA allies.

He was speaking to reporters at the district Congress office here on Saturday May 5 who later addressed the party workers and felicitated Udupi MP Jayaprakash Hegde.

He said that though the party has not selected the Presidential candidate so far, after consulting the UPA allies the candidate for the post will be chosen unanimously. "As the term of President Pratibha Patil ends on July 22, there is still enough time to finalize the candidate," he said.
 
When asked about the possibility of him being nominated as the President of India, he said he was not eligible for such a high post.
 
On criticism over cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to Rajya Sabha, Oscar said that Tendulkar is an iconic player and deserves Bharat Ratna. "However, now with the nomination to Rajya Sabha, he has been paid the respect that he deserves," he said, adding that there was no political motive behind the move.

Asked about the alleged illegal dumping of mud into Gurupur river by MSEZ, Oscar made statements in favour of MSEZ stating that prior to the construction of any bridge mud is dumped into the river. He cited a few example to prove his point and said that the protest by the locals was not valid.