Kalam opts out of Presidential race
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies
New Delhi, June 18 2012:
In a rebuff to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and BJP, former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Monday announced that he would not contest the Presidential poll against UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
Issuing a formal announcement, he said he had taken the decision after considering "the totality of this matter and the present political situation" .
Abdul Kalam, who was propped up by Trinamool as a nominee for the Presidential poll to be held on July 19, said, "though I have never aspired to serve another term or shown interest in contesting the elections", Mamata Banerjee and other political parties "wanted me" to be the candidate.
"This being their wish, I respect it.
I want to thank them for the trust they have in me," he said, adding, "I have considered the totality of this matter and the present political situation, and decided not to contest the Presidential election 2012 " .
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After Banerjee pushed his candidature, breaking ranks with UPA over the issue, the BJP also tried hard to persuade him to contest as Opposition's common candidate against Pranab Mukherjee.
BJP leader LK Advani called him thrice and sent his close aide Sudheendra Kulkarni twice to convince him.
However, he made clear to Advani that his "conscience" is not permitting him to contest, sources said.
Several opposition leaders talked to Abdul Kalam over phone yesterday to know about his plans.
BJP was more in favour of fielding Kalam than former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma, who is AIADMK Chief J Jayalalithaa and BJD head Naveen Patnaik's choice.
Even JD(U), which wants a consensus for Pranab Mukherjee, may support Abdul Kalam as he shares a good equation with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.