Chandigarh, May 13
“I am not aware of it. I have not sought anything,” said Lieut-Gen JFR Jacob (retd), Governor of Punjab, as VHP has mooted his name for the country’s presidency.

Talking to The Tribune, General Jacob said: “I am in the service of the country and its people, now serving Punjab as its Governor. It is for the Central Government to decide about such a crucial matter like Presidential candidate.”

“I am here to serve my country in whatever capacity the government desires,” he added.

NEW DELHI: “The country needs a strong and straightforward President who can lead the nation in its fight against terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism. We need a person like him in this phase of our national life,” VHP senior president Acharya Giriraj Kishore told mediapersons here.

Asked about Maharashtra Governor P. C. Alexander’s possible nomination as NDA’s candidate in the coming presidential election, he said, “Congress President Sonia Gandhi herself will oppose it as we cannot simultaneously have a Christian President and Prime Minister. Moreover, he has been controversial.”

He said it would be incorrect to say that if elected, Mr Alexander would be the first Christian President.

“Even the present President and the first lady are Christians,” he said. However, he did not elaborate nor substantiate his claim.

He, however, ruled out VHP pursuing General Jacob’s candidature with the BJP and its allies.

General Jacob was earlier head of BJP’s Ex-Servicemen Cell.