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Kalam decides against contesting
presidential election
Monday June 18, 2012 05:43:38 PM,
IANS
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New Delhi: Former
president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Monday said he won't contest the
presidential election after studying the "totality" of the
situation, spiking what could have been a high-profile battle with
Pranab Mukherjee.
The decision disappointed Trinamool Congress leader Mamata
Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which were keen to
pit the former missile scientist who was also India's head of
state from 2002 to 2007.
In a brief statement after days of speculation, Kalam said he was
urged to contest by many politicians and other citizens.
"Though I have never aspired to serve another term or shown
interest in contesting, Mamata Banerjee, other political parties
wanted me to be their candidate," he said.
"Many, many citizens have also expressed the same wish. It only
reflects their love and affection for me and the aspiration of the
people.
"I am really overwhelmed... This being their wish, I respect it. I
want to thank them for the trust they have in me.
"I have considered the totality of the matter and the present
political situation and decided not to contest the presidential
election," he said.
Informed sources said the former president conveyed his decision
first to BJP leader L.K. Advani, who telephoned him twice
requesting him to contest next month against Congress-led United
Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee Mukherjee.
Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former aide to Advani, also met Kalam twice
Monday in a bid to persuade him to change his mind.
But Kalam, who had also been consulting his close friends in
recent days, eventually decided not to plunge into the electoral
battle, perhaps realizing that his chances of winning are near
nil.
But unlike in 2002 when he emerged a clear winner with only the
Left opposed to him, this time some sections of the BJP-led
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were themselves not eager to
field him.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JD-U) and the Akali Dal favour
a president who is elected by consensus.
But Mamata Banerjee has come out strongly against Mukherjee. And
former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Sangma refuses to withdraw from the
race although only the AIADMK and Biju Janata Dal are backing him.
The Congress appeared to be happy over Kalam's decision. And so
was Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, who declared in
Lucknow that "the Kalam chapter" was now over.
Kalam has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and
Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.
He spearheaded the weaponization of India's strategic missile
systems, and was involved in the 1998 nuclear tests too.
As of now, Mukherjee appears to be a clear favourite to occupy the
Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The presidential election, if it takes place, will be held July
19. The results will be declared three days later.
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