Former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar’s last signed statement was an appeal for support for Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s candidature for the Presidential poll.
Issued from the hospital bed on June 15, Chandra Shekhar’s statement said “in the midst of the many problems and challenges currently confronting the country, we are also engaged with the high responsibility of electing the electing the next head of our republic, our next President.”
Chandra Shekhar’s endorsement for Shekhawat saw the Congress turning to another Thakur leader, former Prime Minister VP Singh, to endorse UPA nominee Pratibha Patil.
Chandra Shekhar heaped praise on Shekhawat, saying the latter combined a life time’s experience of dedicated public service with rare qualities of head and heart.
“A public figure of eminence, high repute, impeccable credentials, Shekhawat has discharged his latest responsibilities as the country’s Vice-President entirely beyond party affiliations and with impeccable secular credentials.”