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| Kalam's chances of continuing as President not bright | | |
BL KAK
NEW DELHI, May 2
Even as a group of Congress leaders are for the continuance of APJ Abdul Kalam as the President for a second term, he is not a hot favourite with majority of Congressmen, particularly loyalists of Sonia Gandhi. The Congress leadership is of the opinion that the next President may have to play a crucial role if the 2009 general elections throw up a hung Lok Sabha.
Hence, the Congress leadership would prefer a nominee it can rely on, politically. On his part, President Kalam, whoe term comes to an end in July next, has simply chosen to watch the situation at a time when some politicians want him to continue in Rashtrapati Bhavan for a second term in office. Kalam appears unwilling to contest the presidential poll. He is for a consensus in his favour. Interestingly, no one has become a President for the second time after Dr Rajendra Prasad. And if history repeats itself, the consensus on Kalam looks difficult.
The hunt for India's first citzen has begun. Taking into account a division of opinion among major political parties, Kalam's chances of making it to a secnd term in office do not look very bright. Till about a few months ago, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had spearheaded the campaign to retain Kalam for another term with Leader of the Oppostion, LK Advani, even discussing the possibility with him.
However, since that "discussion", the BJP has been maintaining a conspicuous silence on the issue. “We have to watch what the UPA is doing, and then decide our plan”, says BJP leader, VK Malhotra. The BJP, in the changed sitjuation, is not willing to show its cards.
One party that has come out openly against Kalam’s second term is the Left. The CPI(M) had opposed Kalam's nomination in 2002 and promises to do so again this time. CPI(M) poliyburo member, Sitaram Yechury, said: “The same forces who were against a second term for Narayanan, are today favouring it”.
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