External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday condemned the 'frivolous charges' levelled against United Progressive Alliance-Left presidential nominee Pratibha Patil by the National Democratic Alliance with a view to lower the dignity of the President's office.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Mukherjee declared that the sanctity of the constitutional process was being destroyed by interested parties by resorting to a smear campaign based on frivolous and unfounded allegations against the UPA candidate.
 
'We strongly condemn the nature and tenor of the current campaign, which can dilute the norms that must form a part of our political process, being a mature democracy,' he said in a joint statement read out to the media on behalf of the parties supporting Pratibha's candidature.

Others present at the press conference included Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK leader T R Baalu and CPM leader Sitaram Yechuri.

The UPA leaders argued that the members of the Electoral College were well aware of the difference between the election for the posts of President and Vice President of India and the process that governs the election of the MPs and MLAs.

They appealed to the member of the Electoral College to vote for Pratibha Patil and ensure her victory.