Stepping up its attack on Pratibha Patil, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday asked United Progressive Alliance to reconsider the decision of fielding her to avoid a 'tainted occupant' in the Rashtrapati Bhavan [Images].

It also called for a 'conscience vote' in favour of Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Senior party leader L K Advani told the BJP National Executive meeting here that 'never in the past nearly six decades has a candidate for the election to the highest Constitutional office faced grave allegations'.

Noting that the BJP, as also the National Democratic Alliance, went to Rashtrapati Bhavan on several occasions seeking action against 'tainted ministers' in the UPA government, he said, 'but what if Rashtrapati Bhavan itself gets a tainted occupant? This is a question the entire nation must seriously ponder over'.

He added that whatever adverse remarks have been made about Patil 'anti-dates' her choice as Presidential nominee.

"I, therefore, urge all constituents of the UPA to reconsider their decision," he said.

He also suggested that the BJP and its allies should organise a mass awareness campaign soon to mount public pressure on MPs and MLAs of the UPA constituents to cast a 'conscience vote' in favour of Vice President Shekhawat, contesting as an 'independent' with NDA backing.

He said in 1969, Indira Gandhi [Images] had given a call for a 'conscience vote' to split Congress.

"In 2007, let us appeal for a 'conscience vote' to unite all pro-democracy forces," he added.

Advani prefaced his statement recalling the Emergencey days and said that the country was passing through an 'ominous phase' in its political history.

He said that the Emergency was imposed 32 years ago, 'principally because there was a pliable President in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, who signed on the dotted line'.