'Wounded' Kalam quits presidential race

President of India APJ Abdul Kalam has announced that he would not be contesting the presidential election for a second term as he was upset over some statements made by some UPA leaders, including Central ministers.

Kalam's name was proposed as the presidential candidate by the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) or Third Front leaders who wanted to prop him up as a competitor to the Center's United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee, former Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil.

"Mr. Kalam said he was deeply touched and deeply appreciative of our efforts. But at the same time, he felt there have been some wounding statements by some UPA leaders, including Central ministers, which are totally unwarranted," AIADMK leader J. Jayalalitha said after the president conveyed his decision to a UNPA delegation that called on him.

Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesman S.M. Khan has confirmed President Kalam's decision to the media, ending the piquant situation that had developed following the president's comment that he was ready to run for a second term if there was "certainty" about his re–election.

"The president told a (UNPA) delegation that after considering their request and reviewing the situation carefully from all angles, he has decided that in the current scenario, he will not be interested in running for a second term as he does not want Rashtrapati Bhawan to become involved in any political process," Khan said.

"The president also told them (UNPA leaders) that his mission in life is to work for development of the country which he will continue to do wherever he will be. The president thanked the people of India for the love and affection towards him," he added.

As UNPA leaders are reluctant to support the Congress–led UPA candidate Pratibha Patil and the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, present Vice–President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, they announced that they would take some time to decide on next course of action.

"We have to now explore what options we have, and it will take some time," Jayalalitha said, even as indications came from UNPA that it was a distinct possibility that it might abstain from voting now that there was no time left to look for another suitable candidate.

"The poll was in danger of being heavily politicised. Ideally, the poll should have been above political considerations, it should not have caused this kind of controversies. However, an alarming situation was developing and there was the danger of a deep political divide over the presidential election," she said.

"In the interest of national unity and integrity, we wanted to put up a candidate who is above politics, and our only choice was Mr. Kalam. He is respected all over the country, he is loved by students, middle–class, scientists, weaker sections and indeed every section. Most channels have even done surveys, and Mr. Kalam is the people's choice," she added.

"Majority in the country want him back as president. We felt that majority view should prevail. We felt that candidate should not be chosen by a few scheming political parties and leaders," she said, adding that she respected President Kalam's decision.

President Kalam was reportedly hurt by comments made about him by UPA leaders like Sharad Pawar, Lalu Prasad and P.R. Dasmunsi.

In spite of noting that President Kalam was the people's choice who wanted him to run a second term, Information and Broadcasting Minister P.R. Dasmunsi said wryly that the election of President is not carried out through e–mails and SMS.

RJD chief and Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had also criticised President Kalam for agreeing to contest as UNPA's nominee. "Kalam should resign gracefully as it was too late for any reconsideration on the issue," Prasad said.

According to Prasad, all political parties should support the first woman candidate and "should not play in the hands of RSS, BJP on the crucial matter."

"Patil is not only the candidate of Congress party but she is also fully backed by all UPA allies and other parties," he said.

With President Kalam out of the race, the possibility of Pratibha Patil emerging as the first woman president of India has almost become a certainty.

Meanwhile, the NDA has announced that it would back Shekhawat, who is likely to contest as an independent candidate.

"We are in the fray with or without UNPA support. Shekhawat is our candidate. We have sought support from Third Front," NDA spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said.

The race for the top position also took an interesting turn as ahead of her filing nomination on Saturday, June 23, UPA–Left Front candidate Pratibha Patil came under attack from a woman in her hometown in Jalgaon in Maharashtra that she had protected her brother, who, the woman claimed had killed her husband due to political rivalry.

The Congress party, however, has dismissed the allegation as "baseless."