By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said allegations made against United Progressive Alliance's presidential candidate Pratibha Patil were nothing but "mudslinging".
"It is mudslinging," he said when queried about the charge that a sugar cooperative founded by her in Maharashtra had defaulted in a repaying a government loan.
The prime minister was talking to reporters after releasing a book, "The New Asia Power Dynamic", at his 7 Race Course residence.
Queried on comments made by two of his colleagues on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Manmohan Singh said: "We hold President Kalam in high esteem."
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi had said Kalam should not seek another term when the latter indicated last week that he was ready to contest the July 19 election if there was a certainty of victory.